76ers vs Celtics Match Score and Player Stats May 2, 2026:

The 76ers vs Celtics match score and player stats on May 2, 2026, tell a story of redemption, grit, and playoff basketball at its finest. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference First Round . This wasn’t just any win. It was a historic moment that ended decades of playoff frustration for Philadelphia.

Joel Embiid led the way with 34 points and 12 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and 11 rebounds . The 76ers completed a stunning comeback from a 1-3 series deficit. Only 13 teams in NBA history had done that before .

Let’s break down exactly how this Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics Game 7 unfolded. We’ll look at the key plays, the standout players, and what this victory means for both franchises.

First Quarter: Philadelphia Jumps Out to an Early Lead

The TD Garden was rocking at tip-off. But the home crowd went silent fast. The 76ers came out with fire in their eyes. They knew history was on the line.

Philadelphia stormed to a 32-19 lead after the first quarter . The 76ers vs Celtics quarter-by-quarter score shows just how dominant they were early on. They shot an incredible 65.2% from the field in the opening period .

Paul George and VJ Edgecombe set the tone. Edgecombe, the rookie, was fearless on the road. He knocked down shots and played with veteran poise. The Celtics looked stunned.

Boston’s starting lineup was unusual. Jayson Tatum was ruled out less than two hours before tip-off with a sore left knee . This forced Joe Mazzulla to start Luka Garza, Baylor Scheierman, and Ron Harper Jr. . That experiment failed miserably. Those three combined for zero points in the first quarter.

The 76ers vs Celtics highlights on May 2, 2026, would be filled with Philadelphia’s fast start. They were playing with house money. The pressure was all on Boston.

Second Quarter: Boston Fights Back

The Celtics didn’t fold. They are too good for that. Boston outscored Philadelphia 31-23 in the second quarter . The lead was cut to 55-50 at halftime.

Jaylen Brown started to heat up. He scored 33 points in the game, including several tough baskets in the second quarter. Derrick White also chipped in. He finished with 26 points .

The 76ers vs Celtics team stats showed Boston’s three-point shooting was keeping them alive. They hit 5 of 7 from deep in the second quarter . Sam Hauser hit a couple of big ones. Payton Pritchard ran the offense well.

But Philadelphia had an answer. Every time Boston got close, the Philadelphia 76ers’ leading scorers responded. Embiid and Maxey were a two-man wrecking crew. They combined for 17 points in the quarter .

The half ended with a sense of tension. Boston had the momentum. But Philadelphia had the lead. The NBA playoff Game 7 stats were starting to pile up for both teams.

Third Quarter: The Sixers Regain Control

The third quarter is often called the “championship quarter.” The 76ers treated it like one. They exploded for 33 points in the period . The lead was back up to 88-75 heading into the final frame .

Joel Embiid was unstoppable. The Joel Embiid player stats from this game are legendary. He hit tough shots over double teams. He grabbed rebounds in traffic. He even dished out 6 assists .

His appendectomy in early April was supposed to slow him down . It didn’t. He played like a man possessed. He was tired of losing to Boston. He made sure it didn’t happen again .

VJ Edgecombe also had a huge quarter. He finished the game with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists . His three-point shooting was clutch. He hit 5 of 11 from beyond the arc.

The 76ers vs Celtics shooting percentages told the story. Philadelphia shot 57.1% in the third . Boston shot just 33.3% . The Celtics were settling for deep threes. They were missing them.

Fourth Quarter: Holding On for Dear Life

The final frame was chaotic. Boston made one last push. They cut the lead to single digits multiple times. The crowd got back into it. The pressure was immense.

Tyrese Maxey took over. The Tyrese Maxey stats vs Celtics show he scored 10 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter . He hit a huge three-pointer with under 4 minutes to play. He then hit two free throws to ice the game.

Maxey also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 7 assists . He was everywhere. His speed was too much for Boston’s defense to handle.

The Celtics were forced to foul. Philadelphia made its free throws down the stretch. They went 20 of 23 from the line for the game . That’s an 87% clip.

Embiid and Maxey finished the game with a combined 64 points. The 76ers vs Celtics results show a team that just couldn’t get over the hump. They had no answer for the 76ers’ stars.

The 76ers vs Celtics full box score shows Boston was 13 of 49 from three-point range. That’s 26.5% . You aren’t winning many games shooting that poorly. The Boston Celtics’ playoff performance was good, but not good enough.

Key Player Performances and Game Stats

Let’s dive deeper into the NBA Game 7 player statistics. This game had some incredible individual performances. Here is a breakdown of the best players on the floor.

Philadelphia 76ers Top Performers

Joel Embiid (C) – 34 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST

The big man was the difference. He was the Philadelphia 76ers playoff performance leader. He dominated the paint and made plays for others. His field goal percentage was 46.2%. He went 9 of 11 from the free throw line. The 76ers vs Celtics rebounds leaders list starts with him.

Tyrese Maxey (G) – 30 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST

Maxey was the engine. He attacked the basket with reckless abandon. He shot 61.1% from the field. His three-point percentage was 50%. His free throw percentage was 100% (6 of 6).

VJ Edgecombe (G) – 23 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST

The rookie was incredible. He hit 5 three-pointers. He wasn’t scared of the moment. He showed why he was a key part of the team’s future. His performance boosted the NBA postseason player stats.

Paul George (F) – 13 PTS, 3 REB

George played solid defense and hit some big shots. He provided a veteran presence that helped steady the ship.

Boston Celtics Top Performers

Jaylen Brown (F) – 33 PTS, 9 REB

Brown was a monster. He tried to carry the team without Tatum. He shot 12 of 27 from the field. He also had 3 blocks. He was one of the Boston Celtics leading scorers.

Derrick White (G) – 26 PTS, 6 REB

White did his best to keep the Celtics in it. He hit some tough shots. He went 5 of 16 from three. The Derrick White stats show he played 45 minutes. He was exhausted by the end.

Neemias Queta (C) – 17 PTS, 12 REB

Queta was a surprise contributor. He was the 76ers vs Celtics assists leader for the Celtics with 7 assists.

Payton Pritchard (G) – 13 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST

Pritchard ran the offense well. He was the 76ers vs Celtics assists leader for Boston.

The Historical Context and What It Means

This was more than just a game. This was an exorcism for the Philadelphia 76ers. They hadn’t beaten the Celtics in a playoff series since 1982 . That is a drought spanning over 40 years.

The Celtics had eliminated the 76ers in the playoffs six straight times . Joel Embiid had been on the losing end of that rivalry three times . He was tired of hearing about it. He made a statement .

“This is probably one of my most fun years playing basketball,” Jaylen Brown said after the loss . But you could see the disappointment in his eyes. The Boston Celtics’ playoff performance fell short of expectations.

The Eastern Conference First Round Game 7 matchup was a classic. They were the higher seed. They had home-court advantage. It didn’t matter.

Philadelphia becomes the 14th team out of 302 to overcome a 1-3 series deficit . The last team to do it was the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 . That is elite company.

The 76ers’ playoff victory over the Celtics sends a message to the rest of the league. Philadelphia is for real. They have a star duo that can compete with anyone.

Conclusion: A Night to Remember in NBA History

The 76ers vs Celtics match score and player stats on May 2, 2026, will be remembered for a long time. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey had legendary performances. The team showed incredible heart.

The 76ers vs Celtics Game 7 was a perfect storm of drama, skill, and history. The 76ers proved they could win the big game. The Celtics were left wondering what could have been.

Philadelphia will look to continue their magical playoff run. But for one night, they savored the victory. They had finally beaten the Boston Celtics.

The Eastern Conference playoff matchup was tilted in favor of Boston. But Philadelphia refused to lose. They played with desperation. They played with pride. And they walked away with a 9-point victory.

Game 7s are what make the NBA special. This one was no exception. It was a roller coaster of emotions. It was a masterclass in resilience. And it was the Philadelphia 76ers’ night.

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