Embiid-led 76ers beat Boston to avoid NBA playoff exit

TL;DR

Joel Embiid scored 33 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 113-97 victory over the Boston Celtics, avoiding elimination in the NBA playoffs. The series is now 3-2 in favor of Boston, with Game 6 set for Thursday in Philadelphia.

Key points

Joel Embiid scored 33 points and made eight assists
76ers avoided elimination in the NBA playoffs
Series is now 3-2 in favor of the Celtics
Game 6 will be played in Philadelphia
Celtics scored only 11 points in the fourth quarter

Philadelphia 76ersBoston CelticsSan Antonio SpursPortland

Joel Embiid sparked the Philadelphia 76ers over Boston to avoid being eliminated from the NBA playoffs (Maddie Meyer) (Maddie Meyer/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP) Joel Embiid scored 33 points and made eight assists to spark Philadelphia over the Boston Celtics 113-97 on Tuesday, keeping the 76ers from being eliminated in the NBA playoffs. A dominant second half by the big man from Cameroon, in just his second game back after an April 9 emergency appendectomy, enabled the Sixers to pull within 3-2 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first round playoff matchup. "It's kind of hard. I only had once chance to go up and back (on the court) before I came back," Embiid said. "Using this game and last game to kind of get back into it. "I found my rhythm in the second half. We adjusted some stuff at halftime. I feel OK. I feel good. We got a win. That's all that matters." The series shifts back to Philadelphia for game six on Thursday with a seventh game, if needed, in Boston on Saturday. "We did our job," Embiid said. "We're going to need everybody to come back to Boston." Embiid struggled with three-pointers early before dominating in the paint. "When they got the lead early, we kept playing our game," Embiid said. "I missed a couple (outside) and I went inside and found some luck." Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds for the 76ers, who also had 16 points and nine rebounds from Paul George. Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 16 rebounds for Boston, which also had 22 points from . But the Celtics were outscored 28-11 in the fourth quarter, producing their fewest points in any quarter this season with the series clincher up for grabs. The Celtics, chasing a second NBA title in three seasons, or 76ers will face either New York or in the second round. The were in New York later for game five in their series, which was deadlocked at 2-2. The Sixers have not won a playoff series since sweeping in the first round in 2023. The Celtics, who have missed the playoffs only once since 2007, are trying to reach the second round for the fifth year in a row and ninth time in 10 seasons. Boston led 57-50 at halftime but V.J. Edgecombe's three-pointer lifted the Sixers within 66-65 midway into the third quarter. Embiid tweaked his left knee and went to the locker room late in the third quarter with the game on a knife's edge. Boston went on a 7-0 run, but Embiid returned as the Celtics clung to an 86-85 lead entering the fourth quarter. Embiid sparked the Sixers to a 102-94 lead, their largest of the game to that point, with 5:16 remaining and Boston could not recover. In another later game, the try to reach the second round with a home victory over , which trails in their series 3-1. js/bb

Q&A

What was the score of the 76ers vs Celtics playoff game?

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 113-97.

How did Joel Embiid perform in the game against Boston?

Joel Embiid scored 33 points and had eight assists, playing a crucial role in the victory.

When and where is the next game in the 76ers vs Celtics series?

The next game is Game 6, scheduled for Thursday in Philadelphia.