Tyrese Maxey delivered a season-defining performance with 30 points as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 on Thursday night, extending their first-round playoff series to a winner-take-all Game 7.
Philadelphia never trailed at Xfinity Mobile Arena, controlling tempo and execution after suffering two 30-plus point losses earlier in the series.
Paul George added 23 points and five three-pointers, providing spacing and secondary playmaking that allowed the Sixers to maintain offensive balance throughout the game.
Joel Embiid, returning from an appendectomy, contributed 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, anchoring the interior while facilitating when double teams arrived.
The Sixers built separation in the third quarter, closing the period on a decisive run to take an 82-63 lead into the fourth.
A defining sequence came midway through the third, when Kelly Oubre Jr. blocked Jaylen Brown, igniting a fast break that ended with George’s behind-the-back assist to rookie VJ Edgecombe for a dunk that pushed the lead to 15.
Philadelphia’s starting unit combined for 100 points, reflecting efficient shot creation and ball movement against a Boston defense that struggled to contain dribble penetration.
Maxey shot 11-for-22 from the field and added five assists without committing a turnover, consistently breaking down defenders in isolation and in pick-and-roll situations.
The Celtics, meanwhile, shot 42% from the field and 29% from three-point range, with Jayson Tatum scoring 17 points and Brown adding 18 while dealing with early foul trouble.
Boston’s offense stalled late in the third quarter, going more than four minutes without a field goal as the deficit grew beyond reach.
Philadelphia outrebounded Boston 48-46 and generated 22 assists, emphasizing a more connected offensive approach compared to earlier losses in the series.
The victory marked the second straight win for the Sixers after trailing the series 3-1, putting them in position to attempt a rare comeback.
Only one team in NBA history has won a playoff series after losing multiple games by 30 or more points, underscoring the magnitude of Philadelphia’s challenge entering Game 7.
Boston now returns home for the decisive matchup, where it posted a 30-11 regular-season record.
Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday in Boston, with the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
