Sixers' Andre Drummond reacts to 1st playoff series win after Game 7

BOSTON -- The smile on Philadelphia 76ers big man Andre Drummond's face was apparent. He was just a part of a historic 3-1 rally as he helped the Sixers pull off the feat for the first time in franchise history after a Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics on the road.

Drummond played an important role as the backup center throughout the series and he knocked down four of the six triples he put up during his time on the floor. The aforementioned smile was due to the fact that for the first time in his 14-year career, he had won a playoff series.

Yes, Drummond had made the playoffs with the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets in the past, but had never been gotten past Round 1 before. He had also made the play-in with the Chicago Bulls before they fell short in those contests. As he now prepares for Round 2 against the New York Knicks, he talked with Sixers Wire about finally getting past Round 1.

"Hyped," Drummond started. "I'm excited. This is new territory for me. I’ve never been out of the first round. I've had plenty of chances there, but this is my first time being out. I'm happy, obviously. It’s really cool, but not satisfied. Looking forward to the next round playing against a team that knocked them out two years ago. So, I’m excited to be a part of something bigger than me. I'm excited to be part of a great season. We turned it around."

Drummond and the Sixers certainly turned it around. After a miserable 2024-25 season in which injuries ravaged the roster, they have bounced back with a big season and are headed to Round 2 for the first time since 2023. The Knicks knocked them out in the first round in 2024 before not making the playoffs in 2025.