In a thrilling playoff showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey delivered a masterclass performance to power the Philadelphia 76ers past the Boston Celtics 109-100, sending the Celtics packing from the NBA playoffs on Saturday.
Embiid was a force to be reckoned with, dropping 34 points and snatching 12 rebounds, while Maxey electrified the court with 30 points—including 10 clutch points in a frantic fourth quarter. Their heroics helped the seventh-seeded Sixers complete a stunning comeback from a 3-1 series deficit, marking the first time in franchise history they've rallied from such a hole to win a series. The victory sets up an Eastern Conference semifinals clash with the New York Knicks.
This series marked the 23rd playoff meeting between these two storied rivals, and Boston had won the last six, including heartbreaking eliminations of Embiid's Sixers in 2018, 2020, and 2023. But this time, Embiid—who had publicly voiced his frustration with losing to the Celtics—refused to let history repeat itself. Alongside Maxey, he ensured the narrative shifted, joining the elite company of just 14 NBA teams to overcome a 3-1 series deficit.
"We had a talk after game five and just said, 'Hey, man, we can't let the same stuff happen over and over again. At some point we've got to put a stop to it.' And we did," Maxey told NBC after the game, reflecting on the team's resilience.
The victory wasn't without its challenges. The Celtics were missing star Jayson Tatum, who was ruled out less than two hours before tip-off due to a sore left knee. Tatum, who had been a key figure since returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the first 62 games of the regular season, could only watch from the bench as Boston's season came to an end.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 34 points and nine rebounds, while Derrick White added 26 points. But Boston struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 13 of 49 three-point attempts. The Celtics were playing catch-up all night after the Sixers built a 15-point lead in the first quarter. Boston briefly surged ahead by one point midway through the second period, but they couldn't sustain the momentum. Philadelphia held a five-point lead at halftime, then pulled away again in the third quarter, entering the final frame up by 13.
For the Sixers, this win is more than just a series victory—it's a statement. Embiid and Maxey proved they have the grit and chemistry to compete with the best, and with the Knicks looming, Philadelphia's playoff journey is far from over. Fans can expect more high-octane action as the Sixers look to keep their championship dreams alive.