76ers Beat Celtics 106-93, Force Game 7

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, behind 30 points from Tyrese Maxey, extending their first-round playoff series to a winner-take-all Game 7. Philadelphia turned the game with a dominant middle stretch and held Boston to 14 points in the third quarter.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Boston opened with the sharper start and took a 23-20 lead after one quarter. The Celtics were steadier early on the offensive end, while Philadelphia stayed close despite a slower opening period. The 76ers kept the margin manageable and avoided letting the game get away before the home crowd settled in.

Second Quarter

The game changed in the second. Philadelphia outscored Boston 38-26 in the quarter to move in front 58-49 at halftime. The 76ers found better balance offensively, moved the ball more effectively, and got to the foul line with greater efficiency. That nine-point halftime edge gave Philadelphia control after trailing through the opening period.

Third Quarter

Philadelphia strengthened its position in the third quarter by holding Boston to just 14 points while scoring 24 of its own. That stretch pushed the lead to 82-63 entering the fourth. The Celtics struggled to convert from the field and from three-point range, and the 76ers capitalized by extending possessions and staying organized offensively.

Fourth Quarter

Boston made the final period more competitive with a 30-point quarter, but Philadelphia had built enough separation to manage the closing minutes. The 76ers scored 24 in the fourth, answered key Celtics runs, and came away with the 13-point win without needing overtime.

Key Performers

Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 30 points and delivered the top individual scoring performance of the game for Philadelphia. He set the tone for a 76ers offense that produced 106 points on 43.8% shooting.

Joel Embiid gave Philadelphia an all-around performance with 10 rebounds and 8 assists, helping the 76ers control the interior and create offense across multiple possessions. His playmaking from the center position was a major part of Philadelphia’s 22 assists.

For Boston, Jaylen Brown paced the team with 18 points, while Jayson Tatum added 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. However, the Celtics did not get enough offensive efficiency overall, finishing at 41.9% from the field, 29.3% from three, and 56.3% from the free-throw line.

NerdSports Stat: After scoring 49 points in the first half, Boston managed just 44 in the second half, and nearly one-third of that total came in the fourth quarter after Philadelphia had already built a 19-point cushion entering the period.

Game Analysis

This game was decided by Philadelphia’s command of the middle two quarters. After trailing by three at the end of the first, the 76ers outscored the Celtics 62-40 across the second and third quarters. That stretch flipped the game and created the separation Boston could not fully erase.

Philadelphia also won several key efficiency categories. The 76ers made 17 of 19 free throws, good for 89.5%, while Boston went 9 of 16 at the line. In a playoff game where every possession matters, that eight-point edge at the stripe was meaningful. The 76ers also finished with a slight rebounding advantage, 48-46, and assisted on 22 baskets compared with 18 for the Celtics.

Boston’s perimeter shooting never fully stabilized. The Celtics attempted 41 threes but made only 12, and their 14-point third quarter put them in too deep a hole. Philadelphia was not overwhelming from beyond the arc either at 33.3%, but it paired timely outside shooting with stronger foul shooting and steadier execution once it moved ahead.

The result also reflected Philadelphia’s composure after the early deficit. Rather than chasing the game, the 76ers gradually improved their offensive rhythm and tightened up defensively. Holding Boston under 100 points in a playoff elimination game was a clear sign of that control.

What This Means

With the win, Philadelphia evened the Eastern Conference first-round series at 3-3 and forced Game 7. The 76ers improved to 45-37 overall, while Boston moved to 56-26 on the season. After six games, the series has delivered little separation, and the deciding game will now determine which team advances.

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