The Philadelphia 76ers are still alive and kicking. On Thursday night, they delivered a masterful 106-93 victory over the Boston Celtics, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 in this thrilling first-round playoff series.
After suffering two devastating 32-point losses earlier in the series, the Sixers flipped the script with their most complete performance of the season. Tyrese Maxey led the charge with 30 points, while a revitalized Paul George added 23 points, reminding everyone why he was brought to Philly in the first place.
The energy was electric from the start, fueled by Joel Embiid's early return from an appendectomy. Though still recovering from his early April surgery, Embiid contributed 19 solid points and gave the team the emotional lift they desperately needed. The Sixers carried momentum from their Game 5 win in Boston and never looked back.
The play of the night—and arguably the series—came in the third quarter. Kelly Oubre Jr. rejected Jaylen Brown's shot, Maxey scooped up the loose ball, and found George on the break. George then delivered a dazzling behind-the-back pass to rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe, who finished with a thunderous dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy. That play pushed the lead to 69-54 and the Wells Fargo Center erupted.
It was a special night for Philadelphia sports fans. Just 24 hours earlier, the Flyers had won in overtime to advance in the NHL playoffs, and the energy carried over. After that slam, Sixers fans let loose, celebrating a team that refuses to quit.
This team goes as far as Embiid can take them on his injury-prone frame, and Maxey has proven himself a bona fide All-Star. Edgecombe, a finalist for NBA Rookie of the Year, has quickly become a fan favorite with his youthful energy and fearless play.
But lost in the shuffle sometimes is the 35-year-old George. This season has been a rollercoaster for the veteran, including a 25-game suspension for a failed drug test. He's often deferred to the other stars, but on Thursday, he flashed the All-Star form that earned him a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract in the summer of 2024. George knocked down a team-high five three-pointers, each one stretching the lead and silencing the doubters. When Embiid needed rest, the offense ran through George, and he delivered.
Now, it all comes down to one game. The Sixers have fought back from the brink, and Game 7 promises to be a classic. Will the veteran-laden Celtics close it out, or can Philadelphia's resilient squad punch their ticket to the next round? One thing is certain: this series has been a battle, and the best is yet to come.