James Harden

Matt Murphy

Lauren Rosen

An electric series, the next chapter in an iconic rivalry, comes to a close Sunday in Boston, as the 76ers (3-3) and Boston Celtics (3-3) meet for Game 7.

“It’s as close as it could possibly be, 3-3,” Tyrese Maxey said following the Sixers’ 95-86 Game 6 loss Thursday. “We’ve got to go out here, and we’ve got to fight.”

The gravity of a Game 7 - the second of Maxey’s young career - is not lost on the third-year pro:

“It’s one game. One game. We’re not worried about nothing else - the future, the past - just one game in the present. We’ve got to go out there, and we’ve got to fight our tails off. It’s going to be a battle.”

Maxey and Joel Embiid each scored a game-high 26 points in Game 6. Embiid leads the team in per-game scoring (27.6 ppg) and rebounding (9.2 rpg) in the series thus far, while Maxey has averaged 20.3 points per game, and James Harden has averaged 24.2 points and a team-best 8.2 assists per game.

On Boston’s side, Jayson Tatum has led the way, averaging 25.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, while Jaylen Brown has contributed 22.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

“Training camp, going into the season, Boston was in the Finals last year - so somehow, some way, we had to get through this team,” Harden said postgame. “They’ve been together for some years, they’re well-coached, they’ve got a lot of depth, everybody knows that. You’ve got to get through them. Game seven.”

Ahead of a road Game 7, Maxey says his team will draw on its existing experience, and confidence, playing away from home.

“I know we’re going to rally,” Maxey said. “We’ve rallied all year long, on the road. We’ve got a tough group. We’ve got a very, very tough group.”

The Sixers have already won two of their three meetings in Boston this series. They are 4-1 on the road in the postseason thus far, and boasted a 25-16 road record in the regular season - the second-most road wins in the NBA.

“It’s going to be a war,” Maxey said. “And if I have to go to war, on the road, Game 7, Boston - I would want to go with this group.”

“This is the NBA. We play a lot of games. You don’t play as well as you would like one game, the beauty of it is, you’ve got another opportunity. We’ve got next game.”

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76ers and Celtics Set for Game 7 on Sunday | NBA Playoffs Gameday Report

The 76ers (3-2) can eliminate the Boston Celtics (2-3) from the NBA playoffs on Thursday night in South Philadelphia and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001. Game 6 is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and 97.5 The Fanatic.

The Sixers defeated the Celtics, 115-103, in Game 5 on Tuesday night in Boston. It was a statement road victory for the Sixers, and their second consecutive win in the series.

Tobias Harris (16 points, 11 rebounds) said the Sixers were locked in from shootaround through the final buzzer:

“We made the game simple [Tuesday]. Everyone chipped in with great effort.”

MVP Joel Embiid (33 points)—named to the Kia All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career on Wednesday—recorded his third straight 30-point game. He also blocked four shots, including one on quite the hustle play late in the game when he turned the ball over but chased down Boston’s Jaylen Brown.

“I’m going to give a shoutout to the big fella, Joel,” Tyrese Maxey (30 points, 6-12 3fg) said. “This year, as soon as we got to Charleston for training camp, I just noticed his leadership grow. When your best player is adamant about winning and leading by example, you have to raise your level of intensity.”

Embiid helped set the tone by scoring 21 of his 33 points (3-7 3fg) in the first half.

On a night when everything seemed to be working for a Sixers team showing great preparation and poise, James Harden (17 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists) came up just two rebounds shy of a playoff triple-double.

“I thought James was a magician tonight,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said of Harden. “He called a perfect game. He was aggressive early on, when he needed to be aggressive. And then he got everybody else involved.”

The NBA announced Wednesday afternoon that 76ers Harden and Maxey are two of the 10 nominees for the 2022-23 Bob Lanier Community Assist Award.

Game 7, if necessary, would be played Sunday in Boston.

Thursday is a 7:30 p.m. ET start in Philadelphia.

“I want to win and I can't let my brothers down,” House Jr. said. “My name was called, so I had to step up.”

Doc Rivers, Wednesday afternoon, on the team’s mindset ahead of Game 6:

“You can’t get too comfortable. Period. In the playoffs, there’s no such thing as comfort. I’ve never heard the words comfort and playoffs together. They just don’t go together.”

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76ers Host Celtics in Game 6 Thursday | NBA Playoffs Gameday Report

The 76ers (2-2) and Boston Celtics (2-2) are set for a pivotal Game 5 Tuesday in Boston, as the two teams race to four wins in their Eastern Conference Semifinal duel.

Sunday’s Game 4 brought overtime drama, as the Sixers took a 116-115 victory to even the series behind heroics from MVPs James Harden (42 pts, 9 ast, 8 reb) and Joel Embiid (34 pts, 13 reb) down the stretch.

“We just fought,” Doc Rivers said postgame. “This is the way it’s going to be. It’s going to be a game of runs. We’ve got to keep our composure. I was proud of our guys.”

The Sixers came out particularly hot in Game 4, taking a 27-19 lead out of the first quarter break and a 59-50 lead into halftime.

“I thought they played with a lot of force in the first half,” Boston Head Coach Joe Mazzulla said of the Sixers. “We combated that in the second half… When you’re talking about the playoffs, and winning these games, it comes down to what our mindset is going to be.”

On Mazzulla’s side, Jayson Tatum scored a team-high 24 points, plus a game-high 18 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and four blocks. Jaylen Brown added 23 points, three rebounds, and five assists, while Marcus Smart totalled 21 points, three boards, and seven assists.

But it was Harden’s second 40-point outing of the series that carried the Sixers across the finish line ahead.

“I just want to win, no matter how it plays out,” Harden said. “I just want to win. And quite frankly, today was a do-or-die for us. We just found a way to win, and that’s all that matters in the postseason.”

But business is far from over ahead of Game 5’s series tiebreaker, and Thursday’s Game 6. Game 7 (if necessary) will be played Sunday.

“Watch film, get better, and be ready to go,” Harden said. “See things we can get better at, and be ready to go for Game 5.”

Tuesday’s Game 5 is a 7:30 p.m. ET tip.

Harden neared a 40-point triple-double, with a game-high 42 points, eight rebounds, a game-high nine assists, and a game-high four steals. He shot 16-for-23 from the floor, 6-for-9 from deep, and 4-for-4 from the foul line in 47 minutes of play.

Embiid notched a 34-point, 13-rebound double-double, plus four assists and a steal in his 46 minutes.

Maxey tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, an assist, two steals, and a block in 45 minutes of play.

Harden on his guest of honor at Sunday’s game:

“[John Hao] is my good luck charm. I’ve been keeping in contact with him. Obviously, for a tragedy like that to happen, there’s a lot of nonsense going on in the world. For him to be a victim of that is heartbreaking. But he’s strong. I feel like it’s my job to give him that light and that smile that he deserves and needs. Hopefully today was one of those days where he’s smiling. That’s what I’m here for.”

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76ers Back to Boston for Game 5 | NBA Playoffs Gameday Report

76ers PR

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 116BOSTON CELTICS 115MAY 7, 2023 (OT)

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics, 116-115, in overtime, pulling the best-of-seven series to a 2-2 tie.&nbsp;

The 76ers improved to 3-0 this postseason -- and 2-0 in this series -- when reaching the 115-point mark. Philadelphia has won nine consecutive playoff games when scoring 115-plus points (Stathead).&nbsp;

JAMES HARDEN&nbsp;(42 points, 16-23 FG, 6-9 3FG) and&nbsp;JOEL EMBIID&nbsp;(34 points, 12-15 FT) combined to score 76 points on 55.1% shooting. They are the first pair of 76ers teammates to both score 30-plus points in the same playoff game since June 16, 2001.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Harden's 42-point performance represents the second time in this series that he's produced at least 40 points. He is one of three players throughout the 2023 NBA Playoffs to produce multiple 40-point games, and joins Hall of Famers&nbsp;ALLEN IVERSON&nbsp;(10) and&nbsp;WILT CHAMBERLAIN&nbsp;(2) as the lone 76ers with multiple 40-point playoff games (Stathead).&nbsp;

Harden added eight rebounds, nine assists, and four steals, joining Iverson as the only two 76ers to produce at least 40 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals in a postseason contest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Embiid hauled in 13 rebounds, marking his 35th&nbsp;career double-double in 50 career postseason games.&nbsp;

NEXT UP:&nbsp;The 76ers head back to TD Garden for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The game will tip-off at 7:30 pm on TNT and on the radio at 97.5 The Fanatic.

For more 76ers stats and notes, please follow @sixersstats on Twitter.

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Sixers Beat Celtics in OT, Even Second Round Series at 2-2

The 76ers host the Boston Celtics on Friday night with the Eastern Conference Semifinal series tied 1-1. Game 3 is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and 97.5 The Fanatic. Six-time All-Star Joel Embiid will receive the newly-named Michael Jordan Trophy—earned Tuesday night as the 2022-23 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player—prior to tipoff.

Embiid joins Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Allen Iverson, and Moses Malone as the fifth 76er ever to earn NBA MVP honors.

“It’s amazing,” Embiid said. “It’s something that I’ve dreamt of and I’ve always wanted. This is just one step to whatever I want to accomplish, which is to win championships. It felt pretty good.”

The Celtics defeated the 76ers, 121-87, in Game 2 on Wednesday night in Boston. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 25 points and this year’s Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon added 23 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

Boston took 51 3-pointers in the contest, making 20—including six from Brogdon.

Embiid (right knee sprain) returned to action for the Sixers after missing the fourth and final game of the Brooklyn series, as well as the first meeting in this series. He recorded a game-high five blocked shots before halftime.

“He’s second to none, he’s one of one,” teammate James Harden said this season in regard to Embiid winning MVP. “And he continues to get better… Welcome to the club, well-deserved. I’m so proud, [he] had a hell of a year. Should’ve gotten it last year, too.”

When the Sixers last hosted the Celtics, a regular season contest on April 4, Philadelphia won 103-101 behind a dominant performance from the MVP Embiid: 52 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and a pair of blocks. He shot 20-for-25 from the field and 12-for-13 from the free-throw line for his third 50-point game of the campaign.

“I don’t remember him missing a shot,” Harden said of Embiid after that outing. “That’s one of the most efficient 50’s I’ve seen.”

Following Game 3 Friday, the teams remain in the City of Brotherly Love for Sunday’s Game 4, a 3:30 p.m. start.

Friday is a 7:30 p.m. ET start in South Philadelphia.

Harris scored a team-high 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds in 33 minutes of play in Game 2 at Boston.

In 27 minutes of action, Embiid posted 15 points, three rebounds, and a game-high five blocks.

Harden notched a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, plus four assists in 32 minutes of play.

Maxey contributed 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a block in 30 minutes.

76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers, Thursday afternoon, on Joel Embiid’s return to the lineup in Game 2:

“He looked good, and his numbers were great. That’s the one thing—watching all of the numbers that we track, his numbers were great [Wednesday]... Just his speed that he reached, his explosions, they were very close to normal. So that was great for us to see.”

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76ers and Celtics Shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3, Embiid to Receive MVP Trophy | NBA Playoffs Gameday Report

The 76ers (1-0) are set to meet a familiar foe once again Wednesday, playing their second Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Boston Celtics (0-1), with a chance to remain undefeated in the 2023 playoffs.

Absent newly crowned 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid (right knee sprain) in Game 1, the shorthanded Sixers stole one on the road, earning a 119-115 victory.

James Harden tied his playoff career-high, scoring 45 points including seven 3-pointers.

“He was awesome,” Doc Rivers said of Harden. “Kept his cool, knew when to attack, knew when to give it up. He had great patience overall.”

“[James] has a huge amount of confidence in his game. He’s been doing it for so long. This was an amazing time to come out and dominate. He dominated the whole game, and carried us to a victory. It was a team victory, but he did an amazing job.”

The Celtics led by as many as 12, fueled by Jayson Tatum’s 39 points on 14-for-25 shooting and 4-for-5 shooting from long range, plus 11 rebounds and five assists. Jaylen Brown added 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Malcolm Brogdon scored a Boston bench-high 20 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

But the Sixers closed the Boston lead to a tie game ahead of the fourth quarter - a frame that saw late-game contributions across the Sixers’ eight-man rotation.

Postgame, all sights turned straight to Game 2.

“We didn’t come into the game expecting to lose,” Harden said. “We are here to win. After the game, I told the guys, ‘Don’t get too happy.’ We’re even-keeled. We’re coming in to get Game 2 as well.”

The Sixers took 89 shots versus the Celtics’ 75. They also won the turnover battle, 16-6. Philadelphia shot 50.6% overall (45-89 fg), 44.7% from long range (17-38 3fg), and a perfect 100.0% from the foul line (12-12 FT).

Wednesday’s Game 2 is an 8:00 p.m. ET tip.

Maxey tallied 26 points, two assists, and a game-high four steals in his 36 minutes, finishing at a game-high +12.

Harris scored 18 points on 8-for-16 shooting, plus five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

Melton finished with a bench-high 17 points, two assists, and two blocks. He shot 6-for-10 from the field and 5-for-6 from long range.

Reed notched a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double, plus two assists, a steal, and a block.

Melton on the energy around the team heading into Game 1:

“I felt good coming in today, honestly. The energy around the whole team, the whole organization, was good vibes. Then my teammates were trusting me, so I kept shooting.”

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76ers Set for Game 2 Versus Celtics | NBA Playoffs Gameday Report

Named MVP Finalist for the third straight year, with back-to-back scoring titles in tow, Joel Embiid has finally earned his first NBA Most Valuable Player award.

For the team as a unit, the 2022-23 season has always been, and continues to be, a “We Season.”

In their own words, here’s what Embiid has meant to that collective “we”:

“Joel has just been dominant. He came into training camp extremely focused. I think it’s the most focused, in my last three years, that I’ve seen him - and that’s saying something, because he’s had career years every year that I’ve been here. He’s stepped it up a notch. This year just seemed different. He’s extremely focused. And his leadership went to another level. I’ve always talked about what he’s done for me, and for a lot of different guys, as far as drawing in the defense, getting better at passing out of double teams, making his teammates better. He’s just been dominant - defensively, offensively, and leadership-wise.”

“I think what separates Joel is his ability to protect the rim on defense, and switch in real-life situations in the game, keep guys in front, and make them take tough shots. When he’s locked in on defense, he’s just that much better. And then his dominance on offense, literally being able to destroy everybody all year, I think it’s an easy decision. He’s the MVP for sure.&nbsp;

You just haven’t seen a big be able to dominate the way that he does, really shooting the ball - where it’s not back to the basket, it’s facing the basket. Really demanding a double every play. There just hasn’t been bigs like that in a long time. He’s one of one.

“I don’t think he necessarily did anything drastically different - I just think there’s more recognition towards his deserving of the award. As someone who’s been with [Joel for four years], to see the progression in his game, to see the progression in his leadership, and to see how hungry he is to win, and do whatever it takes to embrace all his teammates, I think that speaks volumes. He’s super deserving of it. I’m proud, I’m happy.

His game has just evolved, being an offensive specimen out there - somebody who can pick apart other teams’ defenses. He’s changed his game in a way that he’s become more and more unguardable, year after year offensively. And then on the defensive end as well - just doing amazing things to help the whole group.

“When I think about this award, I think about all the different things that MVP means. It doesn’t mean that you’re just great. It means that you’re great amongst all the great players that play in the NBA. That’s pretty special. It doesn’t just mean scoring the basketball. Obviously you have to do that, but you have to do so many more things. You have to rebound, you have to play defense, you have to be a great teammate, you have to make your teammates better, you have to work on your game, you have to be coachable, and you have to win. [Joel] is doing all those things for us.”

“Joel is the MVP because he’s a professional, first and foremost, how he carries himself. He doesn’t say too much, comes in, gets his work. In the game, he’s totally different. Joel is a monster. Unstoppable. 7-something, big dude, you can’t stop him. And he’s got a midrange game - what big guy can shoot the middy like that? And threes? And he can handle the ball? I don’t know.”

“The way he came out and just dominated. His style of play - he can score from the perimeter, he can catch on the elbow, shoot over defenders - even when he catches it on the block, he can just bruise, and get layups after layups. His ability to score at a high rate is really special at his size, too.”

“I mean everything. Everything is different for Joel. I’ve seen him grow as a player, as a man, as a human, and now he’s winning MVP, finally. He deserves it. I’m really happy for him, to see this growth. I’ve spent six years with him, so it means a lot also for me. I’m super, super happy about it. Congrats, Joel. He’s changed a lot. He talks more, and we can discover him more. He’s changed a lot, on the court and off the court.”

“He’s second to none. He’s one of one. And he continues to get better. We’re all finally witnessing Joel Embiid - who I think everybody thought he could potentially be, some years ago.”

“Welcome to the club, well-deserved. I’m so proud, [he] had a hell of a year. Should’ve gotten it last year too.”

“Man, it’s crazy. I feel like I’ve seen Joel perform at an MVP level for at least the past three years now. To see his growth this year, especially when it comes to trusting us teammates, and then just seeing him put in the work day in and day out, showing up every game ready to compete. Above all else, he wants to win. And I think that’s what really separates him.”

“Joel’s shown pure dominance this year. It’s his second consecutive year of averaging 30 points, and continuing to lead us to wins. When you have a center, in this day and age, when centers aren’t really used like Joel is used, and he can do that on a night in, night out basis, and still find ways to be effective - he’s clearly the Most Valuable Player.”

“Joel is an absolute bucket getter. I think the whole league knows that. Just giving him the ball and letting him go to work, every play, he’s dominating, every game. That’s MVP worthy. Not only does he dominate the game on the offensive end. Something I admire about his game is he puts his life on the line. He’ll go and try to block somebody from dunking the ball, and not be scared to get dunked on - things like that, I admire, because I’m also a big. I’ll be like, ‘Dang. He’s got heart.’ I feel like that’s MVP-worthy stuff right there.”

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Our MVP: Joel Embiid, in the Words of the 2022-23 Philadelphia 76ers

The wait is over. The Philadelphia 76ers (54-28 regular season, No. 3 in the East) tip off the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics (57-25, No. 2 in the East) Monday in Boston. Game 1 is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT and 97.5 The Fanatic.

The Sixers completed their first four-game sweep since 1985 in the first round against the Brooklyn Nets. They were the only team in the NBA to sweep a series in the round. Game 4 – a 96-88 result – was April 22.

“As [P.J. Tucker] says, the playoffs start now,” Tyrese Maxey said immediately following the sweep. “I guess they didn't start this series. But he said it starts now.”

Maxey is averaging a team-high 21.8 points per game (15-30 3fg, .500) in the playoffs.

The Celtics needed six games to defeat the seventh-seeded Atlanta Hawks, 4-2. Boston dropped Game 3 on the road and Game 5 at home. The series-clinching Game 6 took place Thursday in Atlanta with a 128-120 final score.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 27.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in the series. Jaylen Brown averaged 26.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists against Atlanta.

On the injury report, Joel Embiid (right knee sprain) was listed as doubtful as of Sunday night. Danilo Gallinari (left knee ACL repair) remains out for the Celtics.

The Sixers dropped the four-game regular season series with Boston (3-1), but won the most recent meeting on April 4, 103-101. The two games in Boston both took place prior to the All-Star break, with the first being NBA opening night way back on Oct. 18. All four meetings were single-digit margins.

On that Tuesday night in South Philadelphia in early April, MVP favorite Embiid dominated, with 52 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two blocked shots. He shot an extremely efficient 20-for-25 from the field and 12-for-13 from the free throw line in his 39 minutes of play. It was the NBA scoring champion’s third 50-point game of the campaign.

“I don’t remember him missing a shot,” teammate James Harden said of Embiid. “That’s one of the most efficient 50’s I’ve seen.”

With the April 4 game tied at 89 with 3:14 remaining in regulation, P.J. Tucker went on to make three critical 3-pointers for the Sixers at the 2:53 (92-89), 2:03 (95-89), and 0:53 (101-95) marks. Harden posted 20 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and two blocks.

Harden averaged 25.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists against the Celtics this season.

“I think it's good,” Tobias Harris said of the extended time off between playoff series. “We were able to get guys rested. We were able to sweep the first round. We handled our business. Every day we come into the gym, we've still got to handle our business in the best fashion that we know.”

Harris sits just behind Maxey (21.8 PPG) for playoff scoring at 20.3 points per game (8-14 3fg, .571).

Following Game 1 Monday, the teams remain in Boston for Wednesday’s Game 2 (8 p.m. ET). The series then shifts to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4 (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET and Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, respectively).

Monday is a 7:30 p.m. ET start in Boston.

The Sixers scored 58 more second-chance points than the Nets in the first-round series. According to ESPN Stats & Info, that marks the largest scoring differential for the category in any NBA playoff series throughout the play-by-play era (1996-97).

76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers on this year’s team:

“We’ve got a bunch of guys that aren’t scared of the fight. They actually go towards it.”

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76ers Visit Boston Celtics for Game 1  | NBA Playoffs Gameday Report

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