The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers will face off on Sunday night for the seventh time in their first-round series, and with the season on the line, the stakes will be higher than ever. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden and can be watched nationally on NBC.
Boston was leading the series 3-1 but failed to close it out due to a string of poor performances. The 76ers, on the other hand, hit their stride at the right time, pulling off back-to-back wins to stave off elimination and now have the chance to become the 14th team in league history to complete the improbable comeback.
The story of Philadelphia’s playoffs has been the return of Joel Embiid. The 2022-23 MVP played a heroic role in Game 5 and Game 6, recording 52 points, 16 assists, and 14 rebounds.
Paul George has also heated up over these playoffs. He posted a series-high 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field, including 5-of-9 from three-point range, along with four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in the crucial Game 5.
As for Boston, players have been called upon for the big moments, but they haven’t delivered to their standards. After going up 3-1, including a 128-96 drubbing in Game 4, the Celtics weren’t able to fully extend the knife into their opponents.
The defining issue was offense, as the lack of production from key players proved costly. Jaylen Brown had one of the worst performances in Game 6 with five turnovers and went cold from the free-throw line, shooting 2-of-6. Derrick White, who has been very underwhelming this series compared to expectations, also struggled. In a tightly contested series where small margins decide games, those extra contributions proved decisive.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics: Injury Reports
Philadelphia 76ers Injury Report
Philadelphia lists Joel Embiid as probable following post-appendectomy surgery recovery. A probable status means he’s most likely to suit up barring any late setback.
Boston Celtics Injury Report
There are no fresh injuries for the Celtics despite Jayson Tatum missing an entire quarter in Game 6 with a knee injury, which does not appear to be serious now. Other than that, Boston has a clean bill of health heading into a decisive matchup in their bid for survival.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics: Starting Lineups
Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineup
PG: Tyrese Maxey | SG: VJ Edgecombe | SF: Kelly Oubre Jr. | PF: Paul George | C: Joel Embiid
Boston Celtics Starting Lineup
PG: Derrick White | SG: Jaylen Brown | SF: Sam Hauser | PF: Jayson Tatum | C: Neemias Queta
Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics: Game 7 History
The 76ers are 6-12 in Game 7s, and when it comes to playing on the road, they are 1-10. During the Joel Embiid era since 2014, the 76ers have never won a Game 7. They’ve played in three Game 7s, and all have ended in heartbreak, with the most recent being a 112-88 loss in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in Boston.
The Celtics have played Game 7 on 47 occasions. As of 2026, the franchise is 27-10 in winner-take-all contests. Boston last played a Game 7 three years ago, on May 29, 2023, at TD Garden. They lost to the Jimmy Butler-led Miami Heat, 103-84.
It should be another entertaining Game 7 between the two teams. Boston needs to do what it does best, and the 76ers need to channel that do-or-die energy that has worked so well for them up to this point.
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