Andre Drummond couldn't wipe the smile off his face. After 14 seasons in the NBA, the veteran big man finally experienced something new: winning a playoff series.
Drummond and the Philadelphia 76ers made history on the road in Boston, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to take down the Celtics in a thrilling Game 7. It marked the first time in franchise history the Sixers had pulled off such a comeback, and for Drummond personally, it was a milestone that had eluded him throughout his entire career.
As the team's backup center, Drummond played a crucial role in the series, knocking down four of his six three-point attempts and providing steady minutes off the bench. But the real victory was emotional. Despite previous playoff appearances with the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets, and a play-in run with the Chicago Bulls, Drummond had never advanced past the first round—until now.
"Hyped," Drummond told reporters after the game. "I'm excited. This is new territory for me. I've never been out of the first round. I've had plenty of chances there, but this is my first time being out. I'm happy, obviously. It's really cool, but not satisfied."
His eyes are already on the next challenge: a second-round matchup against the New York Knicks. The Knicks eliminated the Sixers in the first round back in 2024, and Philadelphia missed the playoffs entirely in 2025. That makes this season's turnaround all the more impressive.
"Looking forward to the next round playing against a team that knocked them out two years ago," Drummond said. "So, I'm excited to be a part of something bigger than me. I'm excited to be part of a great season. We turned it around."
And turned it around they did. After a disastrous 2024-25 campaign plagued by injuries, the Sixers have bounced back in a big way, returning to the second round for the first time since 2023. As for what they have planned for the Knicks, Drummond isn't giving away any secrets just yet.
"You know, I can't really give you that, because I don't know if they're watching," he laughed. "But for us, we're gonna come out and we're gonna play our game."
For Drummond and the Sixers, the journey is just beginning—and that smile isn't going anywhere.