Philadelphia did not just win a Game 7. It pulled history out of the Garden.
The 76ers beat the Celtics 109-100 in Boston, completing a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit and eliminating the second-seeded Celtics in the first round. It was the first time in franchise history that Philadelphia erased a 3-1 hole to win a playoff series, and only the 14th such comeback in NBA history.
Joel Embiid was incredible with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists after returning during the series from an emergency appendectomy. Tyrese Maxey matched the moment with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while rookie VJ Edgecombe added 23 points in a game that basically went run-for-run.
Boston played without Jayson Tatum, who was ruled out with left knee stiffness, and still nearly dragged the game back from the edge. Jaylen Brown scored 33, Derrick White added 26, and the Celtics cut an 18-point deficit to one in the fourth quarter. But the final minutes turned cold. Boston’s offense stalled, Philadelphia tightened, and the Garden slowly realized the series had slipped away.
That is what made the night so brutal for Boston and so cathartic for Philadelphia. The Celtics had control of the series. The Sixers had injuries, doubt and history leaning against them. Then Embiid, Maxey and a fearless supporting cast flipped the story completely.
Now Philadelphia moves on to face the Knicks. Boston is left with the cruelest kind of ending.
