Celtics Eliminate in Game 7 Against 76ers

The Boston Celtics watched their 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers evaporate this week, culminating in a 109-100 loss during Game 7 on Saturday night, which knocked them out of the playoffs.

In that decisive match, Joel Embiid led the charge for the 76ers with a remarkable performance—34 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. While he succeeded on 9 of 11 free throws, his gameplay drew some criticism, notably from Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who remarked on some of his questionable plays after the game.

“Embiid, like all the bigs and guards, puts a lot of pressure on us,” Brown said. “We didn’t really have an answer for him. Tried various strategies, but he was getting calls and things like that. In this league, well, that’s just how it goes. So, that’s all I’ll say.”

Tyrese Maxey contributed significantly as well, racking up 30 points, and VJ Edgecombe added another 23 points in the victory. A key factor in Game 7 was Philadelphia’s three-point shooting; they shot 39% from beyond the arc while the Celtics managed just 27%. Boston won only 13 of their 49 attempts from the floor.

Brown expressed his feelings post-game, noting that he didn’t see Philadelphia as a typical No. 7 seed, praising players like Maxey, Embiid, and Paul George for their effectiveness throughout the series. “In games where Embiid was on the court, he was a significant challenge for us,” Brown acknowledged. He even reflected on the uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s play due to an appendicitis issue. “Clearly that made a difference,” he added, while giving a nod to the 76ers’ coach, Nick Nurse, and his team’s improvement.

Adding to Boston’s challenges, Jayson Tatum sustained an injury midway through Game 6 and tried to push through it in Game 7.

In the end, Philadelphia is set to face the New York Knicks in their next matchup.