Fans Taunt Celtics After Joel Embiid & 76ers’ Exceptional Showtime Basketball Forces Game 7

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 on Thursday to force a Game 7 in Boston.

Fans Taunt Celtics After Joel Embiid & 76ers’ Exceptional Showtime Basketball Forces Game 7

Joel Embiid (Image by FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Joel Embiid and the 76ers forced a Game 7 after defeating the Celtics 106-93 in Game 6.
  • The 76ers' 'Big 3' of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey combined for 72 points in the victory.
  • Embiid aims to overcome past playoff failures against the Celtics in the upcoming decisive Game 7.

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers have put the Boston Celtics in a spot of bother. After an impressive performance in Game 5, the 76ers were at their best once again as they registered a convincing 106-93 victory over the Celtics in Game 6 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday night.

Wins in Games 6 and 7 have put the 76ers on the brink of a special comeback, pushing the series to a Game 7 after trailing 3-1. The 76ers are finally beginning to show why they can be strong contenders in the Eastern Conference.

During the match with a little over five minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Kelly Oubre Jr. was sent to the line for two free throws. While shooting his free throws, Philly fans began to chant:

We want Boston!

The 76ers-Celtics series has been an engrossing battle so far. It is the first series to go to seven games in the playoffs this year. There seems to be a shift in momentum in the series after the return of Joel Embiid to the lineup. The 76ers center missed the Play-In Tournament and the first three games of the first round due to an appendicitis surgery.

While the 76ers were blown away on his return in Game 4, Embiid put in a dominant performance to give them a much-needed win in Game 5. He may not have been the star of the show on Thursday night, but it did not stop the 76ers from getting their second win in a row and forcing a Game 7 in Boston.

Injuries have been the story of the 2025-26 campaign for Embiid once again, just like the majority of his career. He has been restricted to just 38 appearances this season. However, it looks like Embiid is finally fit and healthy to take the 76ers on a deep playoff run.

Philadelphia 76ers ‘Big 3’ impress in Game 6

Prior to the 2025-26 campaign, there was a lot of talk about whether the ‘big 3’ of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey could lead the 76ers to a championship. Embiid is a former league MVP, George is regarded as one of the best two-way players of his day, and Maxey has grown into one of the best scoring guards in the league today.

76ers need Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey healthy next season
Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George (Image via Barstool Sports/X)

In Game 6, the trio combined to score 72 points. In fact, each one of them scored more than the highest scorer in the Celtics. Maxey led the scorers with a game-high 30 points, while George scored 23 points. Embiid posted a double-double as he recorded 19 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

Meanwhile, the Celtics struggled to get any offense going after the first quarter. They were down by 19 points heading into the fourth quarter. With 10:24 left in the fourth quarter, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla threw in the towel as he decided to clear out his bench and rest his starters. He will be hoping for a much better performance from his team on Saturday night.

Joel Embiid hopes to accomplish something special in Game 7

There has been a lot of noise and criticism surrounding Joel Embiid ever since he won the MVP in 2023. He is the only MVP in NBA history to not take his team past the second round in the playoffs. Injuries have played a role in derailing his career, but it looks like he has put it all behind him at the moment.

After the win, Embiid spoke to the media about the upcoming do-or-die matchup against the Celtics. 

I’ve been playing these guys for so long. I’m tired of losing to them. We have a chance to accomplish something special. We’ve just gotta go in there with the mindset we’ve had for the last two games.

Joel Embiid in his post-match interview

Embiid is eager to end his poor run against the Celtics in the playoffs. He has lost his previous three series against them in 2018, 2020, and 2023. The winner of Game 7 will take on the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

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