The Boston Celtics are staring down yet another gut-wrenching postseason collapse, and this one might sting the most. Just days ago, the team was flying high after a dominant Game 4 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The vibes were electric, and all they needed was a home win in Game 5 to punch their ticket to the next round. But as any Celtics fan knows, nothing comes easy in Boston come playoff time.

Up by 13 points in the third quarter of Game 5, the Celtics seemed poised to close the door. But then, in a familiar script, they let their opponent hang around. Philadelphia, led by a resurgent Joel Embiid, clawed back to make it a one-point game heading into the fourth. What followed was a nightmare: Boston missed 16 straight field goals to end the game, turning a surefire victory into a heartbreaking loss. That forced a Game 6 back in Philly, where things only got worse.

Not only did the Celtics drop Game 6, but they may have also lost Jayson Tatum. The star forward’s leg stiffened up in the third quarter, forcing him to exit early. His status for Game 7 is now up in the air, and even if he plays, the Sixers have all the momentum. They’ve won back-to-back games, including two in Boston, proving they’re unafraid of the TD Garden crowd.

If the Celtics bow out in the first round, it would mark another chapter in their recent playoff heartbreak. Remember the 2022 NBA Finals, where they blew a 2-1 lead to the Warriors? Or the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, losing Game 7 at home to the Heat? And who could forget last year’s collapse against the Knicks, where they squandered back-to-back 20-point leads at home? This would be their earliest exit since 2021—a massive embarrassment for a team that entered the playoffs as a favorite to win the East.

For a squad with championship aspirations, another early exit would raise serious questions about their ability to finish. Whether it’s coaching decisions, late-game execution, or simply bad luck, the Celtics are once again on the brink of an epic postseason collapse. Game 7 is now a must-win, and for Boston, the stakes have never been higher.