Last Updated: 03/05/26 9:14am
The Philadelphia 76ers completed a dramatic comeback, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Boston Celtics and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2023. The victory also marks the first time in 42 years the Sixers have beaten the Celtics in a playoff series.
Joel Embiid led the charge with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Tyrese Maxey finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. V.J. Edgecombe added 23 points and Paul George contributed 13 as Philadelphia controlled much of the decisive Game 7.
The Sixers will head to New York to face the Knicks in Game One of the second round on Monday night.
“So obviously, coming back down 3-1 is tough. I understand it because we just did it. And then, obviously, missing three of those games. Really because the first game was kind of just me getting back to myself. It’s tough, but it feels good to win,” Embiid said. “Obviously, we got a bigger goal in mind, but finally beating these guys, I feel pretty good.”
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points and nine rebounds. Derrick White scored 26, hitting five 3-pointers, and Neemias Queta posted 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Celtics continued to struggle from long range, converting just 13 of 49 three-point attempts for the game.
Boston, the No. 2 seed, suffered its earliest playoff exit since the 2020-21 season and fell to 32-1 all-time when leading a series 3-1. The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum after he was ruled out roughly 90 minutes before tipoff with left knee stiffness.
Philadelphia led for all but 31 seconds in the contest, turning a five-point halftime advantage into an 18-point cushion in the third quarter as the Sixers built sustained momentum.
“I’ve always said it, you can’t win alone,” Embiid added. “You need a team to be able to win and everybody doing their job. I think the way we’re playing right now, we’re in sync offensively, defensively. I think guys understand what they have to do and that’s beautiful to see. And that’s what I’ve always wanted, playing winning basketball, sharing the ball, defensively, everybody being locked in on what they had to do, and that’s how you win.”
The win also improved the franchise’s record in road Game 7s to 2-10, with the only previous road Game 7 victory coming in 1982 at the Boston Garden.