Embiid’s Return Powers Sixers Past Celtics in Game 5

Philadelphia, the No. 7 seed, faced the No. 2-seed Boston Celtics. Center Joel Embiid missed the season’s end after an emergency appendectomy on April 6. He returned in Game 4, scoring 26 points, but the Sixers lost by 32. Game 5 offered a chance to stay alive.

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• Joel Embiid – Sixers center, 33 points in Game 5.

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• Tyrese Maxey – Sixers guard, 25 points, 10 rebounds.

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• Nick Nurse – Sixers head coach, adjusted after early struggles.

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• Jayson Tatum – Celtics forward, 24 points, 16 rebounds.

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• Joe Mazzulla – Celtics head coach, criticized fourth-quarter offense.

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Philadelphia beat Boston 113-97 at TD Garden, cutting the series to 3-2. After a 1-of-6 first quarter, Embiid scored 13 in the second, 10 in the third, and eight in the fourth. A 12-0 run turned a three-point lead into a 15-point cushion, while Boston shot just 3-of-22.

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Philadelphia 113, Boston 97. Embiid: 33 points (0-3 FG, 5-7 3-pt, 13-15 FT). Maxey: 25 points, 10 rebounds. Tatum: 24 points, 16 rebounds. Boston shot 3-of-22 in the fourth. Series 3-2 Boston.

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Embiid’s dominant outing confirms his health and keeps Philadelphia alive after trailing 3-1. The win also highlights Boston’s offensive woes, as the Celtics shot only 3-of-22 in the fourth, raising doubts about their ability to close the series despite Brad Stevens’ Executive of the Year honor.

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Tyrese Maxey praised Embiid’s dominance and expressed pride. Nick Nurse acknowledged a “rocky start” in the third but highlighted the adjustments that sparked the surge. Joe Mazzulla voiced frustration over “empty possessions” and the lack of stops in the fourth. Brad Stevens was noted for guiding Boston’s resurgence.

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Maxey called the home loss a “disgrace” and “unacceptable,” criticizing the Sixers’ Game 4 performance. Mazzulla’s “empty possession” comment signaled dissatisfaction with the Celtics’ offense, suggesting a need for strategic changes.

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• “He was dominant. Especially the second half, he was extremely dominant,” — Tyrese Maxey, Sixers guard

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• “After that performance that we put on last time in front of our fans, that was a disgrace and it was unacceptable.” — Tyrese Maxey, Sixers guard

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• “We got a little rocky start there in the third,” — Nick Nurse, Sixers head coach

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• “When you have empty possession, empty possession, and you’re not getting stops, it’s frustrating,” — Joe Mazzulla, Celtics head coach

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Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday night in Philadelphia. A Sixers victory would force a Game 7 back in Boston, while a Celtics win would clinch the series. Both teams must address the highlighted offensive and defensive lapses before the next matchup.

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