The Philadelphia 76ers entered their playoff series against the Boston Celtics as massive underdogs, with odds of +900 to win before Game 1. After all, the Celtics had dominated recent history, knocking Joel Embiid out of the postseason in 2018, 2020, and 2023. But this time, the script flipped—and Philly fans were ready to let everyone know it.

During a live NBC Sports Boston broadcast, the atmosphere got heated. Host Tom Giles noted that Boston held only one lead in the game, a slim 37-36 advantage in the second quarter. As the screen flashed the final score, 76ers fans in the background erupted with chants of "We Want Boston"—a rallying cry that has echoed through the decades. They shouted it not once, but four times, pushing the limits for even the most patient analyst.

Enter Brian Scalabrine, the beloved 2008 Celtics champion known as "White Mamba." After holding back as long as he could, Scalabrine fired back with a classic retort: "You're ugly." The traveling Philly faithful only chanted louder, reveling in the moment. This wasn't just trash talk—it was a long-standing tradition. Philadelphia fans have been using the "We Want Boston" war cry since the 1980s, and this year it gained new life after the Sixers won their Play-In seeding.

But the Celtics faithful weren't about to let it slide. After Boston's dominant 123-91 Game 1 win at TD Garden, they returned the chant mockingly, as if to say, "You really thought you could beat us?" The back-and-forth only intensified as the series progressed. Following Philadelphia's Game 6 victory, the Xfinity Center roared with "We Want Boston" chants, and with less than a minute left, fans twisted the knife with a chorus of "Boston sucks!"

The stakes couldn't have been higher. Joel Embiid made history by becoming the first player ever to score 100 points in a playoff series despite missing the first three games. Together with Tyrese Maxey, they formed just the third duo in NBA history to each record 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a Game 7. Their victory also marked the first time a No. 7 seed in the East had knocked off a No. 2 seed since the first round expanded to best-of-seven in 2003.

So while the Celtics legend's "You're ugly" quip may have been a lighthearted jab, it captured the intensity of a rivalry that keeps delivering unforgettable moments—and plenty of fuel for fans on both sides.