Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Caleb Martin spearheaded the Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-114 triumph over the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day. The win marked Philadelphia’s 11th victory of the season, as they overcame the Eastern Conference leaders in a tightly contested matchup.
Maxey led the charge with 33 points and 12 assists, including 13 points in the fourth quarter. He delivered a pivotal layup with just over a minute remaining, extending the Sixers’ lead to seven points.
Embiid added 27 points and nine rebounds, sinking four of five from beyond the arc and sealing the game with clutch free throws in the final moments. Embiid overcame a pregame ankle scare and played 31 minutes wearing a protective black mask for a sinus fracture.
Martin was lethal from distance, connecting on 7-of-9 three-point attempts en route to 23 points. His shooting kept the Celtics at bay during crucial stretches of the game.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum delivered a double-double with 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 23 points. Derrick White chipped in 21 points, hitting five three-pointers. Despite their efforts, the Celtics fell short in the closing moments, losing their second consecutive game for the first time this season.
Kristaps Porzingis, who recently returned from an extended injury absence, exited at halftime with an ankle injury and did not return. His absence left a void in Boston’s interior defense, which Philadelphia exploited in the second half.
The Celtics erased a 16-point third-quarter deficit, narrowing the gap to two points in the final minute. However, missed opportunities at the free-throw line—where Boston shot just 61.5%—proved costly.
Philadelphia showcased remarkable efficiency, shooting 46.6% from the field and a scorching 42.5% from three-point range. The team was a perfect 19-of-19 from the free-throw line, a stark contrast to Boston’s struggles.
