The Philadelphia 76ers made history on May 2, 2026, by defeating the Boston Celtics in a thrilling Game 7 at TD Garden, with a final score of 109-100. This victory marks the first time a No. 7 seed has triumphed over a No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs since the format changed to best-of-seven.
In an impressive display of resilience, the Sixers overcame a daunting 3-1 series deficit. Joel Embiid led the charge with 34 points, complemented by Tyrese Maxey’s remarkable performance of 30 points. VJ Edgecombe added 23 points, rounding out a powerful offensive effort.
The Celtics faced challenges of their own, notably missing star player Jayson Tatum due to left knee stiffness. Jaylen Brown stepped up for Boston, scoring 33 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Brown acknowledged Embiid’s impact on the game: “Embiid put a lot of pressure on us, on all of our bigs and our guards.”
This Game 7 victory is historic not just for its immediate implications but also for its significance in playoff lore. The Sixers had not won a playoff series against the Celtics since 1982, breaking a frustrating streak that lasted over four decades. They are now one of only 14 teams in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1.
The key statistics from Game 7 include:
- Sixers scored 109 points.
- Celtics scored 100 points.
- Embiid recorded 12 rebounds and 6 assists.
- Maxey tallied 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
- The Sixers ended a 44-year playoff series losing streak against the Celtics.
This victory sets up an intriguing matchup in the next round against the New York Knicks. The Sixers will look to build on this momentum as they advance deeper into the playoffs. As Nick Nurse remarked, “It’s really good for us to go through that and respond to it.” The atmosphere surrounding this team has shifted dramatically — from underdogs to formidable contenders.
