Philadelphia 76ers Overcome Odds to Eliminate Boston Celtics in Playoff Thriller
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey led the Philadelphia 76ers to a stunning victory in their series decider against the Boston Celtics, clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the New York Knicks. The 76ers, facing a daunting 3-1 deficit in the best-of seven series, achieved a remarkable comeback, winning 109-100 on the road and knocking out the defending champions of the 2023-24 NBA season. Key performances included: Embiid: 34 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists Maxey: 30 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists This victory marked a historic moment for the 76ers, as they became only the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, achieving this feat for the first time in their franchise history. Furthermore, it was the first playoff series win against the Celtics since 1982, ending a streak of six consecutive series losses. Reflecting on the team's turnaround, Maxey stated, "We had a talk after game five and just said, 'Hey, man, we can't let the same stuff happen over and over and over again. At some point we've got to put a stop to it. And we did." This victory not only highlights the resilience of the 76ers but also sets the stage for an exciting match-up against the Knicks in the upcoming semi-finals.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-03