Tyrese Maxey erupted for 30 points, Paul George added 23 in a vintage performance, and the Philadelphia 76ers delivered their most complete game of the season to force a decisive Game 7 against the Boston Celtics with a 106-93 victory on Thursday night.
After getting blown out twice in this first-round playoff series, the Sixers showed remarkable resilience. Boosted by Joel Embiid's early return from an appendectomy, Philadelphia carried momentum from their Game 5 win in Boston into a wire-to-wire lead in Game 6. Embiid contributed 19 points of his own, but it was the supporting cast that stole the show.
The defining moment of the night—and perhaps the entire series—came in the third quarter. Kelly Oubre Jr. swatted away Jaylen Brown's shot, Maxey scooped up the loose ball, and found George on the break. George then threaded a dazzling behind-the-back pass to VJ Edgecombe, who threw down a thunderous dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy and gave the Sixers a 69-54 lead. Just one night after the Flyers advanced in the NHL playoffs with an overtime win, the Wells Fargo Center was rocking.
While Embiid remains the anchor of this team, Maxey has emerged as a bona fide All-Star, and Edgecombe's youthful energy has made him a fan favorite and Rookie of the Year finalist. But lost in the shuffle at times this season has been the 35-year-old George—in part due to a 25-game suspension for a failed drug test. After signing a four-year, $212 million contract in the summer of 2024, expectations were sky-high for a championship partnership with Embiid. But injuries, personal issues, and the suspension had George fading from the spotlight.
Not against Boston. George knocked down a team-high five three-pointers, each one stretching the lead, and the offense flowed through him whenever Embiid sat. It was a throwback to the All-Star form that made George one of the most sought-after free agents in recent memory.
The Celtics, who had toyed with the Sixers in their three wins this series, never led in Game 6. Jaylen Brown finished with 18 points but was hampered by foul trouble in the first half. Jayson Tatum struggled to find his rhythm as Philadelphia's defense clamped down. Now, it all comes down to one game: winner takes all in Game 7.