Joel Embiid and 76ers complete historic playoff comeback against Celtics in 2026

The Philadelphia 76ers stunned the Boston Celtics with a 109-100 win to complete a 3-1 series comeback and advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Key players lead 76ers to victory Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey delivered standout performances as the Philadelphia 76ers secured a 109-100 road win over the Boston Celtics in the series decider. This victory eliminated the Celtics from the NBA playoffs and set up a matchup with the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Embiid contributed 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. The 76ers became just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, achieving the feat for the first time in their franchise history. ## Historic playoff series reversal The 76ers staged a remarkable comeback after trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series against the Celtics. This win marked Philadelphia’s first playoff series victory over Boston since 1982, ending a six-series losing streak to their rivals. The team’s ability to shift momentum in the final minutes was crucial, with Maxey scoring eight consecutive points to seal a 107-98 lead with 15 seconds remaining in the game. Embiid’s return from injury added a significant boost to the 76ers’ offensive and defensive efforts. ## Embiid reflects on team effort Embiid emphasized the importance of collective performance, stating, "It means a lot. You can't win alone; you need a team to be able to win, and everybody doing their job." He acknowledged that the team started slowly in both the second and fourth quarters but managed to regroup when it mattered most. His return after an emergency appendectomy in early April transformed the series, giving the 76ers a newfound edge. Embiid’s ability to dominate on both ends of the court proved decisive in their playoff push. ## Celtics coach praises Embiid’s impact Boston’s head coach Joe Mazzulla credited Embiid’s return for altering the series dynamic, saying, "What changed in the series is Joel Embiid came back, and they're a completely different team." Despite the loss, Mazzulla acknowledged the effectiveness of his team’s game plan but lamented the outcome. Jayson Tatum missed the deciding game due to a left knee problem, leaving Jaylen Brown as the Celtics’ top scorer with 33 points. The team’s frustration was evident as Mazzulla remarked, "Loved the looks that we got, loved the process that we had, but hate the result." ## Maxey highlights mental shift Maxey revealed that the 76ers addressed their struggles in a locker room talk after Game 5, saying, "We had a talk after game five and just said, 'Hey, man, we can't let the same stuff happen over and over and over again. At some point, we've got to put a stop to it.'" The team’s resilience and determination were on full display in the final game, where they overcame a narrow deficit to secure the series victory. Maxey’s leadership and clutch scoring were instrumental in closing out the series, capping off a historic playoff run for Philadelphia.