Tobias Harris

Lauren Rosen

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

Matt Murphy

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

Matt Shanley

A matchup you don't want to miss. The Sixers' second round series with the Boston Celtics starts Monday, May 1.

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76ers vs. Boston Celtics: Round 2 Hype Video

The No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers hold a 2-0 series lead over the No. 6 Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference First Round. The series shifts to Brooklyn on Thursday after a 96-84 Sixers’ win Monday in South Philadelphia.

The Sixers are winners of six straight playoff games against the Nets overall, and also won this year’s regular season series 4-0.

“We want to win so bad – the emotions are high, the stakes are high,” Tyrese Maxey said following Wednesday’s practice. “We’re healthy and we’re resilient. That makes us dangerous.”

The injury report for Game 3 included Philadelphia’s Jalen McDaniels (questionable - non-COVID illness) and Brooklyn’s Ben Simmons (out - back; nerve impingement) as of Wednesday evening.

In Monday’s victory, the Sixers trailed by double digits late in the first half and overcame what was a five-point halftime deficit. Brooklyn continued to double team Joel Embiid (20 points) early and often, but Embiid’s impact was again felt on both ends of the floor, grabbing 15 of his game-high 19 rebounds in the first half alone and recording a game-high three blocked shots by the final buzzer, plus seven assists and a steal.

“He’s doing a great job of allowing his teammates to flourish out there on the floor and that’s bringing us a lot of energy,” Tobias Harris said of Embiid postgame.

Philadelphia outscored Brooklyn, 52-35, in the second half, marking the first time that the 76ers have limited an opponent to 35 or fewer points in the second half of any playoff game since May 4, 2012 vs. Chicago.

Maxey led all scorers with 33 points, including six 3-pointers, for the home team. Cam Johnson scored 22 of his Nets-high 28 points in the first half.

Each team called a timeout within the first two minutes of the third quarter, and the Sixers went on a 20-5 soon after to capture the momentum. Harris played a pivotal role in the run, and finished the contest with a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double. Five of his rebounds were offensive boards, helping the Sixers to an 18-0 advantage in second-chance points.

Total rebounds favored Philadelphia by a 56-33 count in Game 2.

Thursday’s Game 3 is a 7:30 p.m. ET start in Brooklyn.

76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers on Tobias Harris’ strong start to the series:

“He’s been great. Just solid. He had 20 again, and I think we ran one play for him. Other than that, he’s letting it come to him. He’s just playing the right way.”

“He’s really fighting defensively. That keeps going unnoticed. His defense in these two games has been unbelievable.”

Watch: TNT, NBC Sports PhiladelphiaListen: 97.5 The Fanatic

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76ers and Nets Shifts to Brooklyn for Game 3 | NBA Playoffs Gameday Report

The 76ers (52-28) have embarked on their final road trip of the regular season, visiting the Atlanta Hawks (41-39) Friday.

The Sixers hold a 2-1 regular season series lead over Atlanta, with all three meetings played prior to Nov. 29.

In the most recent matchup between the two teams - a 104-101 Sixer victory on Nov. 28 - Joel Embiid finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. In the previous meeting on Nov. 12, Embiid notched a 42-point, 10-rebound double-double, plus six assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Tobias Harris excelled in both wins as well, finishing with a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double on Nov. 28 and 21 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals on Nov. 12.

As of Thursday evening, the Hawks occupy the No. 8 seed in the East and in the upcoming Play-in Tournament.

Atlanta has won three in a row, most recently beating Washington, 134-116, Wednesday in Atlanta.

Trae Young led the way in the victory, notching a 25-point, 16-assist double-double. John Collins scored 23 points and grabbed three boards, while Dejounte Murray added 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Young continues to lead the Hawks in scoring and sharing this season, averaging 26.2 points and 10.0 assists per game. Clint Capela leads the club in rebounds (11.1 rpg).

Following Friday’s meeting with the Hawks, the Sixers will visit the Brooklyn Nets (44-36) for a Sunday matinee to mark their regular season finale.

The Sixers dropped their most recent outing Thursday at home versus the Miami Heat. Embiid was the team’s leading scorer, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

Blue Coats Prevail for First Championship

Meanwhile, the G League Playoffs came to a conclusion Thursday evening, as the Delaware Blue Coats took a 114-110 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to win their first-ever G League Championship. The title was earned by winning each of their first two games in the best-of-three duel with the defending champion Vipers.

Mac McClung led the way Thursday, finishing with 30 points, four rebounds, and eight assists. Jaden Springer - who also earned Finals MVP honors - recorded 21 points and nine boards in the victory.

Springer averaged 32 points per game in the Finals, after finishing with 43 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks in Game 1.

Tobias Harris on priorities ahead of the playoff run:

“Staying healthy - that’s number one. Work on our stuff, work on our execution, offensively and defensively. Figure out where we can be at our best, our ball movement, our skills defensively, and how we’re going to guard during the playoffs. That’s the name of the game for us.”

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Final Regular Season Trip Tips in Atlanta | Gameday Report 81/82

The 76ers (49-23) are southbound, visiting the Phoenix Suns (38-35) for the third stop on their four-game road trip.

The date with the Suns comes on the second night of a back-to-back for the Sixers, after falling narrowly to Golden State, 120-112, Friday.

Joel Embiid scored a game-high 46 points Friday, plus a team-high nine rebounds and a team-high eight assists. Tobias Harris scored 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting and Tyrese Maxey added 21 points.

James Harden (left achilles soreness), Jalen McDaniels (right hip soreness), and Danuel House Jr. (right shoulder soreness) missed Friday’s matchup.

As of Friday night, the Sixers occupy the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games behind the No. 2 Celtics (51-23).

The Suns are jockeying for position in the West, holding the No. 5 spot ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the Sixers.

The Suns will also be facing the latter half of a traveling back-to-back, after falling to the Kings (44-29), 135-127, Friday in Sacramento.

Devin Booker was Phoenix’ leading scorer Friday, recording 32 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Terrence Ross added 30 points of his own, plus five rebounds, off the bench.

The Sixers and Suns haven’t faced off since Nov. 7, when the Sixers took a 100-88 win in South Philadelphia.

Embiid led the way in that victory, notching a 33-point, 10-rebound double-double, plus five assists. Tobias Harris and Georges Niang scored 21 points each, and Booker led the Suns with 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal.

Booker leads Phoenix in scoring, averaging 28.1 points per game. New Sun Kevin Durant has played three games with Phoenix, but has been sidelined of late (left ankle sprain). Deandre Ayton (right hip contusion) has been out since Mar. 16.

Saturday’s matchup is a 10:00 p.m. ET tip.

Doc Rivers on Embiid’s 12th 40-plus point outing of the season:

“He’s Joel Embiid. He does Joel Embiid things. He was great overall.”

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76ers Visit Phoenix for Latter End of Back-to-Back | Gameday Report 74/82

At 48-22 following a successful 3-0 road trip, the Philadelphia 76ers moved up to the second spot in the Eastern Conference late Saturday night. The club brings an NBA-best eight-game winning steak – matching their longest of the season – into Monday’s home game against the Chicago Bulls (33-37).The 76ers, who boast a league-best 36-10 record since Dec. 9, will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1982-83 championship team on Monday.

“This is something we already knew,” the Sixers’ De’Anthony Melton said when asked about what they have learned during this run. “We feel like we're the best team. We feel like we have a top defense, top offense. We go into the games with that mindset.”

It’s just a quick stay at home for the red-hot Sixers, who will visit Chicago in two days to tip off another challenging road swing, a four-gamer in this instance. All but five of their 17 games this month have taken or will take place away from home.

In a 141-121 win at Indiana on Saturday – the second half of a road back-to-back, which began in Charlotte – Joel Embiid made history once again with his ninth-straight 30-point game. He surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and Allen Iverson for the longest streak in 76ers history. The win, paired with a Celtics loss in Utah later on, placed the Sixers percentage points ahead of Boston in the standings.

“We have a guy in Joel who they are double teaming,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “So when you move the ball, you just keep moving it and find the open guy, and I thought we did that. The last two [games], our passing has been spectacular.”

Chicago, meanwhile, ranks 10th in the East. The Bulls swept a home back-to-back of Minnesota (2OT) and Miami on the same days that the Sixers played.

DeMar DeRozan (25.4) and Zach LaVine (25.0) combine to score more than 50 points per game, while former Sixer Nikola Vučević pulls down the most rebounds on the team at 11.3 (fifth in the NBA) per contest. DeRozan posted season highs of 49 points (15-25 fg, 2-4 3fg, 17-18 ft) and 14 rebounds on Friday, while LaVine added 39 points (15-25 fg, 4-9 3fg, 5-5 ft). The next night, DeRozan compiled 24 points (10-15 fg, 2-4 3fg, 2-2 ft), five boards, and a season-high-tying 10 assists.

The injury report as of Sunday night included the following Bulls players: Lonzo Ball (out - left knee surgery), Alex Caruso (questionable - left foot soreness), Javonte Green (questionable - right knee surgery), and Justin Lewis (out - right knee surgery).

P.J. Tucker is questionable for the Sixers with left ankle soreness.

The two clubs split the first two games of the season series, with each winning on the opponent’s home court. The Sixers won by five, 114-109, early on in the campaign before the Bulls got 11 threes and 41 points from LaVine in South Philadelphia during the first week of January – a 126-112 Chicago victory.

In the Sixers’ last game against the Pacers, the league scoring leader in Embiid (33.5 PPG) rested the fourth quarter again with his team in the driver’s seat. Neither the NBA assist leader James Harden (10.8 APG) nor fellow starter P.J. Tucker suited up for the final game of the trip, but the Sixers received 31-point performances from both Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

“It's fun,” Embiid said postgame. “The ball is moving, guys are making shots, guys are getting easy shots. The game kind of looks – I wouldn't say easy, but guys are getting in a rhythm and we're doing it as a team.”

“If I wanted to be a playmaker, I could be, but I don't need to because I've got the best playmaker in the league. In the games that [Harden] doesn't play, I take on that role and it's fun.”

The Bulls form one of the top defenses (No. 5 in defensive rating), while the Sixers ranked third and seventh, respectively, in offensive and defensive efficiency as of Sunday.

Monday is a 7 p.m. ET tipoff in South Philadelphia.

The Sixers shot 61-percent (54-88) overall and 43-percent (15-35) from 3-point range at Indiana.

Six 76ers dropped at least 10 points against the Pacers, and two more players neared double figures off the bench:

76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers on the recent schedule:

“We're not out of it. This flying home from [Indiana] to play one game, to go back on the road for four, it's insane. But it is what it is, and there's nothing you can do about it... We're literally coming home to do laundry, and then we go back on the road. For those guys that do laundry.”

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76ers Host Chicago Bulls, 1982-83 Sixers Championship Celebration on Monday | Gameday Report 71/82

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