Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals after defeating the Boston Celtics 109-100 on Saturday night. The victory completed a remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit, a feat accomplished only 14 times in NBA playoff history. The Celtics were without star player Jayson Tatum, who was ruled out shortly before tipoff due to knee stiffness.
Embiid's Stellar Performance
Embiid finished the game with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. He was supported by Tyrese Maxey, who contributed 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. VJ Edgecombe added 23 points, while Paul George chipped in with 13 points. The 76ers, seeded seventh, will now face the third-seeded New York Knicks in Game 1 of the second round on Monday night.
Embiid's Plea to Fans
During the post-game celebrations, Embiid delivered a passionate message to 76ers fans, urging them not to sell their playoff tickets to Knicks supporters. He recalled the previous playoff meeting two years ago, when Knicks fans were notably present in large numbers at the Wells Fargo Center, which he described as 'Madison Square Garden East.' Embiid emphasized the importance of home-court advantage and offered to personally cover the costs for fans who might need money.
'I just have a message for our fans,' Embiid said. 'Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like Philadelphia was Madison Square Garden East. We're gonna need the support. Don't sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.' He added, 'If you need money, I've got you,' a statement backed by his $58 million salary this season.
Revenge and Resilience
The 76ers' win over the East's second seed was a measure of revenge after the Celtics eliminated Philadelphia in Game 7 of the second round in the 2023 playoffs. Maxey reflected on the team's progress, saying, 'We had a chance to beat them three years ago, didn't do it. We came in and got it done.' Embiid, who returned from an appendectomy in Game 4, became the first player in NBA history to score 100 points in a playoff series despite missing the first three games.
Celtics' Struggles
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points and nine rebounds, while Derrick White added 26 points, including five three-pointers. However, the Celtics struggled from beyond the arc, finishing 13 of 49. Brown acknowledged Embiid's impact, stating, 'He put a lot of pressure on us. We didn't really have the answers for him.' Coach Joe Mazzulla defended the team's reliance on three-pointers, saying, 'I love the looks that we got. I love the process that we had. But I hate the result.' The Celtics made their earliest playoff exit since the 2020-21 season.
The absence of Tatum was a significant blow. Mazzulla revealed that Tatum arrived at the facility with knee discomfort, and the medical team decided he would not play. Brown said he learned of Tatum's absence only 45 minutes before the game. With Tatum out, Mazzulla made radical lineup changes, starting Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza, and Ron Harper Jr. alongside Brown and White. The makeshift lineup struggled early, falling into a 9-0 hole, and Philadelphia led 32-19 after the first quarter.
The 76ers now turn their attention to the Knicks, aiming to maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the conference finals.
