76ers rally past Celtics in game 7, advance to face Knicks in second round

76ers rally past Celtics in game 7, advance to face Knicks in second round originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia 76ers are moving on to the second round of the NBA playoffs after completing an impressive comeback series against the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia secured a 109-100 victory in Game 7 on Saturday night, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to advance.

Leading the charge was  former MVP center Joel Embiid, who delivered a dominant performance with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists while shooting 12-of-26 from the field. Embiid set the tone early and remained a steady force throughout the game, controlling both ends of the floor when it mattered most.

Guard Tyrese Maxey provided a crucial scoring boost, adding 30 points in a high-energy performance. His ability to attack the defense and create offense helped Philadelphia maintain momentum, particularly during key stretches in the second half.

The loss marks a disappointing end to the season for Boston, the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. It is the first time since the 2020–21 season that the Celtics have been eliminated in the first round. Boston faced a significant challenge in Game 7 without star forward , who was sidelined due to left knee stiffness. His absence left a noticeable gap in scoring and playmaking for the Celtics.