76ers Defeat Celtics to Force Game 7
Tyrese Maxey led the charge with 30 points, while Paul George, in a notable comeback, added 23 points. The Philadelphia 76ers, who had previously suffered two 32-point losses in their playoff series, delivered their best performance of the season by beating the Boston Celtics 106-93 on Thursday night, setting the stage for a decisive Game 7.
This final showdown will take place in Boston on Saturday.
Thanks to Joel Embiid’s earlier-than-expected return from an appendectomy, the Sixers bounced back from those heavy losses to win Game 5 in Boston. George’s strong performance in Game 6 helped maintain a comfortable lead for the team.
Embiid contributed significantly as well, scoring 19 points.
A pivotal moment in the game happened in the third quarter when Kelly Oubre Jr. blocked Jaylen Brown. Maxey grabbed the loose ball and passed it to George, who made a slick behind-the-back pass to VJ Edgecomb, resulting in a big dunk that pushed the score to 69-54.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere was electric—just one night after the Flyers sealed an overtime victory to advance in the NHL playoffs, Sixers fans were left momentarily speechless.
The 76ers are clearly trying to maximize what they can from Embiid, especially considering his injury history. Maxey has firmly established himself as an All-Star. It’s also worth noting Edgecomb’s youthful energy, which has made him a favorite among fans, and he’s even in the running for NBA Rookie of the Year.
As for George, at 35, he often seems to fly under the radar. After facing a 25-game suspension earlier this season, he’s risen to the occasion when needed, displaying flashes of his All-Star caliber. He extended the lead with a team-high three-pointers and effectively directed the offense during Embiid’s time on the bench.
Looking ahead, George was expected to finalize a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers this summer, aiming to form a championship duo with Embiid. Unfortunately, injuries and various obstacles have sometimes made him less visible to fans and supporters alike.
But in this series against Boston, he’s played an integral role. This victory is even more impressive given that the Celtics had previously dominated the Sixers in three of their matchups. In Game 6, Boston never managed to take the lead.
On the Celtics’ side, Brown struggled with three fouls in the first half, finishing with 18 points. Jayson Tatum added 17 points but exited in the third quarter with what seemed to be a calf injury.
During the game, the Celtics couldn’t score for over four minutes before the third quarter ended, leading to the Sixers entering the final period with an 82-63 advantage.
