The Philadelphia 76ers made history by defeating the Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 of the NBA playoffs on May 2, 2026. This victory marks the first time a No. 7 seed has beaten a No. 2 seed since the playoff format changed to best-of-seven.
The Sixers completed a remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. Joel Embiid led the team with an impressive performance, scoring 34 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. Tyrese Maxey also shone brightly, contributing 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.
VJ Edgecombe added valuable support with 23 points. The Celtics struggled without Jayson Tatum, who missed the game due to left knee stiffness. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
This victory not only ended a long playoff series losing streak against the Celtics that lasted 44 years, but it also marked the Sixers’ first playoff series win since 2023. They now join an elite group of teams—only 14 in NBA history—that have won a series after trailing 3-1.
Key statistics from Game 7:
- The Sixers scored a total of 109 points.
- The Celtics managed to score 100 points.
- The Sixers overcame a significant playoff history hurdle with this win.
The Sixers are set to face the New York Knicks in the next round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Coach Nick Nurse commented, “It’s really good for us to go through that and respond to it.” This upcoming matchup is highly anticipated as both teams aim for playoff success.
This Game 7 result will be remembered as a pivotal moment in playoff history, showcasing resilience and determination from the Sixers against their long-time rivals.
