The Philadelphia 76ers refused to go down quietly.
Joel Embiid turned in a standout playoff performance, scoring 33 points with eight assists to lead the Sixers to a 113-97 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 on Tuesday night at TD Garden. The win forces Game 6 and keeps Philadelphia’s season alive as they trail the series 3-2.
Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George contributed 16 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. For Boston, Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 16 rebounds, and Jaylen Brown added 22 points. Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday night back in Philadelphia.
Sixers Show Fight and Competitiveness Early Philadelphia came out energized, starting strong on both ends. They hit early threes from Paul George and played solid defense, with Embiid anchoring the paint. The Celtics managed just six points in the first six minutes, and the Sixers looked mentally locked in despite the tough Game 4 loss.
Offense slowed at times, with Embiid starting 0-for-4, but the team stayed competitive. Quentin Grimes stepped up later, finishing with 18 points on efficient shooting and providing key momentum.
Embiid Battles Through and Delivers Big Embiid attacked the paint effectively in the second quarter, scoring 13 points and helping get the Sixers to the free-throw line. He stayed aggressive in the post, making it tough for Boston’s big men to guard him one-on-one.
Late in the third, Embiid briefly left after an apparent injury but returned quickly. He showed tremendous resolve, helping close the quarter strong. In the fourth, threes from Maxey and George put the Sixers ahead, and Embiid continued to make superstar plays — dishing assists out of doubles and hitting key jumpers to stretch the lead.
His ability to perform at a high level, even coming back from an appendectomy, gave the Sixers the edge they needed to pull out the win.
Grimes and the Supporting Cast Shine Grimes delivered a solid second half after some early struggles, showing he can provide those big scoring bursts when it matters. The Sixers’ bench and role players stepped up at key moments, flipping the momentum in the final quarter.
Embiid’s effort kept the series going, proving once again why he’s such a vital piece for Philadelphia when healthy and determined. The 76ers head home with renewed belief heading into Game 6.