In a high-stakes Game 7 showdown, the Philadelphia 76ers secured a 109-100 victory over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, clinching a spot in the next round of the 2025-26 season NBA Playoffs. The win caps off a remarkable series turnaround for Philadelphia, who faced elimination three times after falling behind 3-1 earlier in the matchup. Despite the hostile environment at TD Garden, the 76ers maintained their composure to finish off their long-time rivals in a gritty postseason battle.
The decisive moment
Philadelphia's late-game execution proved to be the difference-maker in this elimination contest. The 76ers pulled away in the final minutes by tightening their defensive rotations and forcing the Celtics into difficult, contested shots. By dominating the glass and converting high-percentage looks in the paint, Philadelphia built a multi-possession lead that Boston could not overcome. This nine-point victory was defined by a collective effort to neutralize the Celtics' home-court advantage during the most critical stretch of the season.
By the numbers
- Final Score: Philadelphia 109, Boston 100
- Series Result: Philadelphia wins series 4-3
- Series Turnaround: Philadelphia won three straight games to close the series
- Game 1: Boston 123, Philadelphia 91
- Game 2: Philadelphia 111, Boston 97
- Game 3: Boston 108, Philadelphia 100
- Game 4: Boston 128, Philadelphia 96
- Game 5: Philadelphia 113, Boston 97
- Game 6: Philadelphia 106, Boston 93
- Game 7: Philadelphia 109, Boston 100
The statistical story of this series was one of extremes, with both teams trading double-digit victories before the 76ers eventually found their defensive rhythm. Philadelphia's resilience was tested early after suffering a 32-point blowout in Game 1 and another 32-point loss in Game 4, but they responded by outscoring Boston in each of the final three games.
What it means
This victory cements Philadelphia's status as a resilient contender in the 2025-26 season NBA Playoffs, as they become one of the few teams in history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. The 76ers demonstrated significant depth and mental toughness, particularly with Joel Embiid battling a hip injury throughout the final games. Advancing past the Celtics provides Philadelphia with immense momentum as they prepare for the challenges of the next round.
For the Boston Celtics, the exit marks a disappointing end to a promising postseason run that was severely hampered by the absence of Jayson Tatum. Playing without their star forward due to a knee injury, the Celtics struggled to find a consistent primary scoring option during the closing stages of the series. Boston now faces an offseason focused on recovery and roster stability after letting a commanding series lead slip away.
What to watch next
Philadelphia moves forward to the next stage of the 2025-26 season NBA Playoffs, where they will look to sustain the high level of play that fueled their three-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the basketball world will be watching the health status of both rosters, as the 76ers aim to keep their core healthy for a deeper run and the Celtics look to regroup for the following year.