Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey powered the Philadelphia 76ers to a stunning 109-100 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 7, completing a historic comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. The win eliminates the defending NBA champions and sends Philadelphia to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.
Embiid, returning from an emergency appendectomy that sidelined him since April 6, delivered 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Maxey added 30 points, 11 boards, and seven assists as the 76ers became just the 14th team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1. It was also Philadelphia's first playoff series victory over Boston since 1982, snapping a six-series losing streak.
"We had a talk after game five and just said, 'Hey, man, we can't let the same stuff happen over and over,'" Maxey told NBC. "At some point we've got to put a stop to it. And we did."
The decisive moment came with the 76ers clinging to a 98-99 lead. After two free throws by Neemias Queta tied the game, Maxey scored eight straight points to put Philadelphia ahead 107-98 with 15 seconds remaining.
"We started off well and then in the second quarter we kind of relaxed a little," Embiid said. "Same thing with the start of the fourth. But we stuck together, closed it out."
Celtics star Jayson Tatum missed the game with a left knee issue, while Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points.
"Loved the looks that we got, loved the process that we had, but hate the result," said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.