Joel Embiid's big night, Boston's missed 3s help 76ers complete 3-1 comeback, take series
Philadelphia beat Boston in a series for the first time since 1982, and it was the first time the 76ers ever came from 3-1 down to win.
Joel Embiid showed just how tired of losing to the Celtics he was ā he overpowered the Celtics inside and scored 16 of his 34 on the night in the paint, plus he pulled down 12 rebounds. He was the best player on the court and a force all night. And he got help, especially from Tyrese Maxey, who scored eight straight points in the clutch, finishing with 30 on the night.
Tyrese Maxey TOOK OVER down the stretch to help the Sixers get the Game 7 win! pic. twitter.
com/D6DJ3DdT1c ā NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 3, 2026 Embiid also got help from the Celtics, who shot just 13-of-49 (26. 5%) from 3-point range on the night and were 0-of-9 in the clutch (the final five minutes). All of that combined to give the 76ers a 109-100 victory and make history: Philadelphia beat Boston in a Game 7 for the first time since 1982.
It's the first time the 76ers have ever come back from 3-1 down to win a series in franchise history, and also the first time Boston has ever lost a series up 3-1 (it is now 32-1). Philadelphia advances to take on a rested New York Knicks team starting Monday night in Madison Square Garden. "What changed this series is Joel Embiid came back and they're a completely different team," Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said.