The Philadelphia 76ers made history on May 2, 2026, by defeating the Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 of their playoff series, marking the first instance of a No. 7 seed overcoming a No. 2 seed since the NBA changed its playoff format to best-of-seven games.
In this decisive match held at TD Garden in Boston, Joel Embiid led the way for the Sixers with an impressive performance, scoring 34 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and providing 6 assists. Tyrese Maxey also contributed significantly, adding 30 points, along with 11 rebounds and 7 assists. VJ Edgecombe’s contribution of 23 points further solidified the Sixers’ victory.
The game was not without its challenges for Philadelphia; they faced a daunting 3-1 series deficit before mounting their remarkable comeback. This victory also marked their first playoff series win since 2023 and ended a lengthy 44-year playoff series losing streak to their rivals, the Celtics.
The Celtics played without star player Jayson Tatum due to left knee stiffness, which may have impacted their performance. Nevertheless, Jaylen Brown stepped up as Boston’s leading scorer with 33 points, although it was not enough to secure a win.
Key statistics from Game 7:
- The Sixers scored a total of 109 points.
- The Celtics managed to score 100 points.
- The Sixers completed a comeback after trailing in the series 3-1.
- This win marks a significant milestone in playoff history for the franchise.
- The Sixers are now one of only 14 teams in NBA history to win a series after trailing by three games.
This historic win has generated considerable excitement among fans and analysts alike, and observers now look forward to how the Sixers will perform against the New York Knicks in the upcoming Eastern Conference semifinals. As they prepare for this next challenge, it remains evident that their resilience has redefined expectations for their playoff journey.
