Philadelphia's offense overwhelms Boston in a lopsided playoff battle that exposed the Celtics' perimeter woes.
Game Flow
The Philadelphia 76ers sent the Boston Celtics home disappointed Thursday night, cruising to a 106-93 victory behind a stellar offensive performance. The Celtics came in flat, and Philadelphia punished them relentlessly—the 76ers shot 48% from the field while Boston managed just 42%, a gap that proved insurmountable. Boston never found a rhythm, and by the final quarter, the outcome was never in doubt.
Standout Performances
Tyrese Maxey was the offensive engine Philadelphia needed, dropping 30 points on 11-of-22 shooting with 5 assists in 40 minutes of high-octane play. He attacked the Celtics' perimeter defense ruthlessly and didn't let up. Paul George chipped in 23 points with a team-best 5 three-pointers made, providing secondary scoring that kept Boston from mounting any comeback. The 76ers' Big Three—George, Maxey, and Joel Embiid—combined for 72 points and controlled the game's tempo.
Boston's stars couldn't muster a response. Jaylen Brown shot just 7-of-17 for 18 points, while Jayson Tatum grabbed 11 rebounds but managed only 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting. Payton Pritchard was the only Celtic who looked remotely comfortable, scoring 14 points with 5 assists off the bench. The rest of Boston's rotation—Derrick White (11 points), Neemias Queta (9 rebounds), Sam Hauser (5 points)—couldn't generate enough offense to support their All-Stars.
The Turning Point
This game was decided early. Philadelphia's defense forced Boston into isolation-heavy possessions, and the Celtics' outside shooting never materialized. By halftime, the 76ers had established a double-digit lead, and Boston's –24 and –25 plus-minus marks for Brown and White respectively tell the story of a team that got outmatched on both ends. When a team shoots 48% from the field and hits five threes through Paul George alone, coming back against a playoff-tested opponent like Philadelphia simply wasn't happening.
What It Means
For the 76ers, this was the kind of statement win that separates true contenders from the rest. Maxey's offensive aggression, George's spacing, and Embiid's all-around floor game created an offensive symphony the Celtics had no answer for. For Boston, this loss underscores a troubling reality: their perimeter shooting has become a liability, and relying solely on Tatum and Brown creation isn't enough against disciplined defenses in the playoffs.
Turning Point
Philadelphia established a double-digit lead by halftime and never looked back. Boston's perimeter shooting never got going (7-of-23 from three), allowing the 76ers to play freely and extend their advantage. Once Maxey got rolling in the second half, the game became a rout.
Key Performers
Maxey was virtually unstoppable, shooting 50% from the field and taking over in the second half when Philadelphia needed to separate. His aggressive attacking kept Boston's defense rotating frantically and created easy looks for teammates.
George's 5 three-pointers made were the dagger—spacing Boston's defense to the breaking point. He finished 47% from deep and provided the secondary shot creation that kept the Celtics from focusing solely on Maxey.
Tatum's 11 rebounds kept Boston alive on the glass, but 6-of-13 shooting from a star of his caliber isn't cutting it. He was forced into tough looks by Philadelphia's solid perimeter defense and couldn't assert himself offensively.
Player Timeline
Box Score Leaders
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Maxey | 30 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 30+ |
| Paul George | 23 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |
| Joel Embiid | 19 | 10 | 8 | 1 | double-double |
| Jaylen Brown | 18 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Jayson Tatum | 17 | 11 | 3 | 2 | double-double |
| Payton Pritchard | 14 | 3 | 5 | 1 | |
| VJ Edgecombe | 14 | 8 | 3 | 1 | |
| Kelly Oubre Jr. | 14 | 9 | 1 | 1 |