What happened: Iman Shumpert, appearing on SportsCenter, declared the Philadelphia 76ers one of the league's 'scary teams' after their historic 3-1 series comeback against the Boston Celtics. The 76ers closed out the series in Game 7, marking their first playoff series win over Boston since 1982. Shumpert framed the run as proof that Philadelphia has reached the contender tier many had projected.
Why it matters: The comeback validates Joel Embiid's return from appendicitis surgery and reshapes the Eastern Conference picture heading into the next round. Erasing a 3-1 deficit against a top seed is a rare feat that historically signals a team capable of a deep run. For Philadelphia, ending a four-decade playoff drought against Boston carries franchise weight beyond the bracket.
What to watch: Watch for Philadelphia's second-round matchup and whether Embiid's workload holds up over a longer series. Analyst sentiment around the Sixers as a title threat will be the next tell.