Philadelphia's star duo of Embiid and Maxey overwhelm Boston's backcourt in a 113-97 playoff statement.
Game Flow
The Philadelphia 76ers dominated the Boston Celtics on the road Tuesday night, cruising to a 113-97 victory that felt more like a statement than a squeaker. From the opening tip, the Sixers controlled pace and rhythm, forcing Boston into a defensive grind they couldn't solve. The Celtics never found their offensive footing, and by the fourth quarter, it was a matter of margin management for Philadelphia.
Standout Performances
Joel Embiid was the alpha tonight, posting 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting with 8 assists in 39 minutes. He didn't need to be a rebounding machine; his scoring gravity was enough. Tyrese Maxey was the perfect complement, dropping 25 points and 10 rebounds in 43 minutes of relentless two-way work. His 10 boards were the difference on the glass—Boston couldn't match that interior presence. Quentin Grimes provided crucial spacing off the bench with 18 points on efficient 5-of-8 shooting, giving Philadelphia another scoring outlet the Celtics couldn't defend. Paul George chipped in 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in a heavy workload, doing exactly what you need from a third star in playoff basketball.
For Boston, Jayson Tatum was their only reliable source, finishing with 24 points and a game-high 16 rebounds in 41 minutes. It wasn't enough. Jaylen Brown struggled significantly, posting just 22 points on 9-of-23 shooting while clearly frustrated on the offensive end. The Celtics' supporting cast—Payton Pritchard, Nikola Vučević, and Neemias Queta—combined to score 28 points but lacked the punch Philadelphia brought every possession.
The Turning Point
The real damage happened in the second quarter when Philadelphia's three-guard offense (Embiid, Maxey, George) exploited Boston's defensive switches repeatedly. A 12-2 run midway through the second pushed the Sixers to a double-digit lead they never relinquished. Boston's defense simply couldn't contain Embiid's post-ups, and their offense stagnated trying to match pace. By halftime, the Celtics were already looking ahead to the next game.
What It Means
This was a road win that matters in a playoff series. The Sixers proved they can execute their system away from home and that their depth—Grimes, George, Maxey all contributing without needing 30 points from anyone—is legit. Boston got exposed on defense and couldn't find consistent scoring outside Tatum. If this becomes a pattern, Philadelphia's path just got significantly easier.
Turning Point
Second quarter, with Philadelphia up roughly 8 points around the midway mark. A 12-2 Sixers run—fueled by Embiid post-ups and Maxey drives—pushed the lead to 15+. Boston's defense couldn't recover, and their offense never adjusted. By halftime, the game was functionally over.
Key Performers
Embiid was surgical, operating in the post and at the three-point line with equal comfort. His 8 assists showed he wasn't being selfish, and 39 minutes at peak efficiency set the tone for a Sixers blowout.
Maxey's 10 rebounds in a backcourt role was the real story—he out-rebounded Boston's wings and protected the glass while scoring efficiently. His 43-minute workload suggests this series might lean heavy on his shoulders.
Tatum fought hard on the glass and tried to will Boston back, but 16 boards couldn't compensate for the Celtics' offensive stagnation. He was efficient but isolated, with little help around him.
Grimes was a sniper off the bench, going 5-of-8 from the floor and providing the perimeter shooting Philadelphia needed. His presence meant Boston couldn't pack the paint on Embiid.
Player Timeline
Box Score Leaders
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | 33 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 30+ |
| Tyrese Maxey | 25 | 10 | 5 | 3 | double-double |
| Jayson Tatum | 24 | 16 | 4 | 4 | double-double |
| Jaylen Brown | 22 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| Quentin Grimes | 18 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
| Paul George | 16 | 9 | 7 | 4 | |
| Payton Pritchard | 12 | 2 | 6 | 1 | |
| VJ Edgecombe | 10 | 7 | 3 | 3 |