Full Breakdown
76ers' Historic Comeback Sets Up Eastern Semifinals vs. Knicks
5/3/2026, 9:14:27 AM
First-Round Turnaround: 76ers vs. Celtics
The Philadelphia 76ers eliminated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the first round, winning 109–100 after trailing the series 3–1. The victory made Philadelphia the 14th team in NBA playoff history to win a series after facing elimination. It was the franchise’s first postseason series win over Boston since the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals.
Key Players and Performances
- Joel Embiid recorded 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the decisive Game 7.
- Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, including eight straight points late in the game.
- Boston’s star Jayson Tatum was ruled out before tip-off, and the Celtics shot 13-for-50 from three-point range.
Series Schedule and Timeline
First round (Boston – Philadelphia)
- Game 1: 123–91 (Boston) – Apr 30
- Game 2: 111–97 (Philadelphia) – May 2
- Game 3: 108–100 (Boston) – May 4
- Game 4: 128–96 (Boston) – May 6
- Game 5: 113–97 (Philadelphia) – May 8
- Game 6: 106–93 (Philadelphia) – May 10
- Game 7: 109–100 (Philadelphia) – May 12
Second round (New York – Philadelphia) – announced by the NBA
- Game 1: May 4, 8 p.m. ET, Madison Square Garden (NY) – NBC/Peacock
- Game 2: May 6, 7 p.m. ET, MSG (NY) – ESPN
- Game 3: May 8, 7 p.m. ET, Wells Fargo Center (PHI) – Prime Video
- Game 4: May 10, 3:30 p.m. ET, PHI – ABC
- Game 5*: May 12, TBD, MSG (NY) – if necessary
- Game 6*: May 14, TBD, PHI – if necessary
- Game 7*: May 17, TBD, MSG (NY) – if necessary
Statistical Highlights
- Series comeback: 76ers became the 14th team to reverse a 3-1 deficit.
- Embiid’s Game 7 line: 34-12-6; Maxey’s line: 30-11-7.
- Celtics’ three-point shooting in Game 7: 13-of-50 (26 %).
- Historical matchup count: 23 playoff meetings; Boston leads 15-7 overall.
Official Announcements and Team Statements
The NBA confirmed the Eastern Conference semifinals schedule, noting the Knicks hold home-court advantage as the No. 3 seed. The 76ers organization released a statement that the team will travel to New York for Game 1 following the seven-game victory over Boston. The Knicks issued a press release emphasizing their readiness to host the first two games and the advantage of playing at Madison Square Garden.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What changed in this series was Joel Embiid came back & they were a completely different team.” — Matt Williams, ESPN Insights
- “Well, you can always get better. It’s about us,” — Mike Brown, Knicks head coach
- “It’s about us, and a lot of times it’s about us even if we know who we’re playing,” — Mike Brown, Knicks head coach
- “I love the Garden.” — VJ Edgecombe, 76ers rookie
- “No, no. I know you really want me to say yes, but unfortunately for you, it’s a no.” — Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks center
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Two sources list the Game 7 result as “76ers 109, Knicks 100,” incorrectly naming the opponent. All other sources correctly identify Boston as the opponent. Additionally, one article cites the Game 1 date as May 5, while the NBA schedule and the majority of reports state May 4. No official clarification on the erroneous opponent label has been issued.
Implications and Next Steps
Philadelphia’s comeback provides momentum and a psychological edge entering the semifinals, while New York seeks to capitalize on home-court advantage. The series winner will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, potentially setting up the franchise’s first conference-final appearance since 2001 for the 76ers and the Knicks’ second consecutive conference-final run. The outcome will also influence seeding and home-court considerations for the NBA Finals slated to begin June 3.
