76ers Stun Celtics with Historic 3-1 Comeback in Game 7 Thriller

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers completed an improbable 3-1 series comeback against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, May 2, 2026, winning Game 7 in the NBA playoffs' second round and advancing with a vanquishing performance led by Joel Embiid[3]. Before this victory, the 76ers held an NBA-worst 0-18 record when trailing 3-1 in a playoff series, marking the first such reversal in league history[3]. Boston, meanwhile, entered Game 7 with a flawless 32-0 record when holding a 3-1 lead, a streak shattered in stunning fashion[3]. The Celtics' downfall echoed their first-round struggles, where poor shooting and missed opportunities derailed an early exit[1]. Game 7 highlights captured Boston's collapse in the fourth quarter, with Philadelphia surging ahead in a pivotal second-half rally[2]. Embiid dominated the paint, exploiting Boston's defensive lapses as the 76ers overcame a deficit that had seemed insurmountable. Boston's stars faltered under pressure, unable to replicate their regular-season dominance. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for inefficient shooting in clutch moments, compounding turnovers and cold streaks from beyond the arc that plagued the series[1][2]. The Celtics' bench provided minimal support, unable to stem Philly's momentum after Games 5 and 6 shifted the tide. For Philadelphia, the win avenges years of playoff heartbreak against Boston, propelling Embiid and Tyrese Maxey toward a deeper postseason run. This historic reversal, only the latest in a string of NBA playoff shocks, underscores the volatility of best-of-seven series. Boston's early ouster leaves questions about roster adjustments heading into the offseason.