The Philadelphia 76ers proved that the ball is round, completing an impressive comeback against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Game 7 Victory at TD Garden
The 76ers defeated the Celtics 109-100 in the deciding Game 7 at the historic TD Garden, rallying from a 1-3 deficit on Sunday, May 3, 2026 (Philippine time) in Boston.
At the start of the series, basketball fans believed it would be an easy task for the No. 2 seed Boston against the seventh-seeded Philadelphia. The Celtics quickly took a 3-1 series lead. However, they did not expect the 76ers to bounce back with three consecutive wins, becoming the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 1-3 deficit.
Historic Rivalry
In the classic Celtics-76ers rivalry, this marked the first time Philadelphia has won since 1982 in seven meetings in a deciding game. Philadelphia became the first No. 7 seed to defeat a No. 2 seed in the East since the first round was expanded to a best-of-seven series in 2003.
All statistics were against the 76ers entering Game 7. The Celtics held a 32-0 win-loss record when leading a series 3-1, while the Sixers were 0-18 when trailing 1-3. Additionally, Game 7 was played on the Celtics' home court at TD Garden.
Stars Shine
But 76ers big man Joel Embiid and guard Tyrese Maxey were unfazed, leading the franchise to victory. Embiid finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while Maxey contributed 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. They became the third duo in NBA history to record a 30-point, 10-rebound game in a Game 7 on the road, joining Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal (2002) and Dolph Schayes and George Yardley (1959).
Jalen Brown scored 33 points and Derrick White added 26 points for the Celtics, who played without All-Star Jayson Tatum due to knee stiffness.
The 76ers will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals starting Tuesday.
