In a thrilling Game 7 at TD Garden, the Philadelphia 76ers overcame a daunting 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 109-100. This victory marks their first playoff series win against the Celtics since 1982, a staggering 44-year gap.
The stakes were high. The Celtics had never lost a playoff series after leading 3-1—an impressive record of 32-0 loomed large over this matchup. Meanwhile, the 76ers entered with an embarrassing 0-18 record when trailing in a series by that margin. But everything changed in this decisive game.
Joel Embiid was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 34 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. Tyrese Maxey also stepped up, contributing 30 points, along with 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Their performances were crucial in securing this historic win.
Key stats from Game 7:
- The final score was 109-100 in favor of the 76ers.
- This victory ended a streak of six consecutive playoff series losses to the Celtics.
- The win marked the first time a No. 7 seed defeated a No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference since playoffs expanded to best-of-seven in 2003.
The absence of Jayson Tatum due to left knee stiffness clearly impacted the Celtics’ performance. Jaylen Brown acknowledged this, stating, “No feelings of regret whatsoever… but Philadelphia is a good basketball team, and they’ve gotten better since the regular season.” The Celtics—once seen as invincible—were now grappling with their own playoff history, haunted by what many fans call the “Celtics curse.”
This comeback not only changed the trajectory for the 76ers but also shifted perceptions around their potential. As coach Nick Nurse noted, “I just really wanted the ball… it was time for me to step up and make a play,” referring to Maxey’s pivotal moments late in the game. This newfound confidence could be what propels them further into the playoffs.
The victory sets up an exciting matchup against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals starting Monday. Fans are eager to see if this momentum can carry through as they aim for deeper playoff success.
This moment will echo through Philadelphia’s sports history—a reminder that even when all seems lost, comebacks can redefine legacies.