Sixers Clinch Crucial Victory Over Celtics, Season’s Fortune Reversing!

Philadelphia 76ers 118, Boston Celtics 114.

What a relief.

A solid victory for Philadelphia. Tyrese Maxey dazzled with 33 points and 12 assists. Joel Embiid contributed 27 points while Caleb Martin sank seven triples, totaling 23 points. Collectively, the Sixers shot 46.6% from the field and 42.5% from beyond the arc.

Nearly a devastating defeat for Philadelphia. For most of the game, the Sixers maintained the upper hand. They were ahead by five after the first quarter and extended their lead to eight by halftime. A three-pointer by Martin six minutes before the end increased their lead to 15. Without Jrue Holiday, the Celtics struggled to handle Maxey. The Celtics’ frontcourt, missing Kristaps Porzingis due to an ankle injury in the second half, had difficulty containing both Embiid and Guerschon Yabusele, who added 12 points.

However, in the last six minutes, Boston mounted a comeback. Jayson Tatum hit crucial baskets, Derrick White drained three-pointers, and an Al Horford dunk with 2:27 left cut the lead to three, igniting the packed TD Garden crowd.

In the final moments, the Sixers secured their win. Embiid’s free throws pushed the lead back to five, and a Maxey layup extended it to seven. The Celtics rallied once more, with Jaylen Brown’s long-range shot bringing them within two with just 4.2 seconds remaining. But Embiid clinched the victory with two more free throws.

Once again—what a relief. The Sixers truly needed this win. After a challenging start to the season, things have begun to look up in December. They had a 6–3 record this month going into this Christmas Day game. Maxey’s performance has improved recently. Despite battling injuries since the preseason, Embiid has been mostly active. The turmoil surrounding the team since October seems to be dissipating as the new year approaches.

“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse remarked before the game. “Definitely not enjoyable… but we’re certainly playing much better now.”

Defeating this team was crucial too. Throughout the Embiid era, the Celtics have consistently outperformed the Sixers. They have a 15–13 record against Philadelphia since the 2017–18 season and a 12–4 record in the playoffs. If you’re wondering why the 76ers haven’t advanced past the second round, Boston’s three eliminations of Philadelphia in the last seven years are a significant reason.

The Celtics are likely to remain a significant obstacle for the Sixers. Boston is a powerhouse, boasting a deep bench of three-point shooters who can switch defensively across all positions. Last season, this team made an impressive 16–3 run in the postseason and seems set to replicate that performance.

In response, Philadelphia aggressively pursued talent during the offseason, securing Martin and Paul George with new contracts and bringing back Olympic standout (and former Celtic) Yabusele. However, consistency has eluded them. Philadelphia’s new Big Three—Embiid, Maxey, and George—had only played 71 minutes together before Wednesday’s game. Chemistry remains vital for any championship team, and currently, it’s something the Sixers are still developing.

Maxey stated, “We have to fight hard to achieve the position we aspire to.”

Nevertheless, there’s still time. The season’s first third was underwhelming—the win over Boston improved Philadelphia’s record to 11–17—but two-thirds of the season remains. Embiid continues to dominate when healthy. Before the game, he had a minor incident, tripping over a safety rope and tweaking his right ankle, but managed to play 31 minutes, shooting an efficient 8-of-15 from the field and 4-of-5 from three. Maxey, who scored 13 points in the final quarter, can excel. George is still adjusting to the Sixers’ system—he missed all his seven attempts from three on Wednesday, going 4-of-15 from the field—but he’s not far removed from an All-Star season in Los Angeles.

Expectations were high at the start of the season. This month has shown that the Sixers are still capable of meeting them. Their top trio is among the most talented in basketball, and their bench is improving weekly. The Celtics will be a tough opponent come playoff time. But this Christmas, Philadelphia discovered what it will take to overcome them.

“I believe we have a high ceiling,” Embiid said. “It’s all about us coming together. I don’t think that was our best basketball, but we have a good chance, so it’s all about waiting for some luck and staying healthy.”