The Philadelphia 76ers kept their season alive with a 113-97 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 on Tuesday, April 28, at TD Garden.
Facing elimination, the seventh-seeded Sixers leaned on Joel Embiid, who delivered 33 points in his second game back after an emergency appendectomy.
After a slow start with just two points in the first quarter, Embiid established control by scoring 13 in the second, 10 in the third, and eight in the fourth.
Philadelphia used that surge to take over late, closing the game on a 19-5 run after it was tied entering the final period.
Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, contributing as both a scorer and secondary playmaker in key stretches.
Paul George provided additional balance with 16 points and nine rebounds, helping stabilize the offense when Boston loaded up on Embiid.
The Sixers shot 50 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range, while also converting 20-of-23 free throws.
Boston built early control and led by 11 in the second quarter, then extended the margin to 13 early in the third behind Jayson Tatum’s activity on the glass.
Tatum finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 22 points, but the hosts struggled to maintain offensive efficiency late.
Philadelphia cut into the deficit with a 15-3 run in the third quarter, trimming the lead to one possession and shifting momentum.
The turning point came in the fourth when George hit a three-pointer to give the Sixers their first lead since the opening quarter.
Moments later, Sam Hauser fouled Quentin Grimes on a three-point attempt, and the resulting free throws sparked the decisive run.
Grimes finished with 18 points off the bench, including 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.
Boston’s offense stalled in the fourth quarter, scoring just 10 points on 3-of-22 shooting after converting nearly half its attempts through three quarters.
The Celtics also struggled from long range, finishing 11-of-39 from three-point distance and 61 percent from the free-throw line.
Philadelphia, which trailed 3-1 in the series after consecutive home losses, now returns to its home floor with a chance to extend the series further.
Game 6 is set for Thursday in Philadelphia, where the Sixers will look to complete another step in their comeback bid.
