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Tyrese Maxey delivered an impressive 30-point performance, while Paul George, showing signs of revitalization, contributed 23 points. The Philadelphia 76ers, after suffering two significant 32-point defeats earlier in the first-round playoff series, showcased their most comprehensive game of the season. Their efforts culminated in a 106-93 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, securing a Game 7.
The series-deciding Game 7 is set for Saturday in Boston.
With the early return of Joel Embiid following an appendectomy, the Sixers bounced back from a pair of blowout losses, clinching Game 5 in Boston. Paul George’s vintage performance helped maintain a solid lead in Game 6, energizing the team.
Embiid contributed significantly in Game 6, adding 19 points to the team’s tally.
The highlight of the game—and potentially the series—occurred in the third quarter. Kelly Oubre Jr. blocked Jaylen Brown’s shot, which led to Maxey grabbing the loose ball. Maxey then passed to George, who executed a stunning behind-the-back pass to VJ Edgecombe, culminating in a powerful dunk that extended the lead to 69-54.
A night after the Flyers won in overtime to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs, Sixers fans cut loose after that slam.
The 76ers will only go as far as Embiid can take them on his injury-prone 7-foot frame and Maxey is a bona fide All-Star. Edgecombe’s youthful exuberance made a fan favorite in Philly and an NBA Rookie of the Year finalist.
Lost in the shuffle at times is the 35-year-old George — in large part this season because of a 25-game suspension for flunking a drug test — who has deferred to the other three Sixers when needed yet can still flash that All-Star form. George hit a team-high five 3s that all stretched the lead and the offense ran through him when Embiid — still recovering from his early April surgery — was on the bench.
George signed with the Sixers in the summer of 2024 on a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract and was expected to form a 1-2 championship punch with Embiid. George was instead derailed by injuries, personal issues and the suspension that had him forgotten at times by fans and in the offense.
Not against Boston. He keyed Philadelphia’s game of the season, a stunner given how the Celtics toyed with them in their three wins this series. The Celtics never led in Game 6.
Brown was hampered by three fouls in the first half and finished with 18 points. Jayson Tatum had 17 for the Celtics and left in third quarter with an apparent calf injury.
The Celtics went more than 4 minutes without a point to close the third and the Sixers stormed into the final quarter with an 82-63 lead.