Joel Embiid scores 33 as 76ers beat Celtics 113-97 in Game 5 to keep their season alive Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid delivered a standout performance in his second return to the court since an emergency appendectomy sidelined him late in the regular season, helping the 76ers avoid elimination in their first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers’ center scored 33 points in a 113-97 victory over the Celtics in Game 5 on Tuesday night, keeping their season alive as they head to Game 6 in Philadelphia. Embiid, who had struggled with just two points in the first quarter on 1-of-6 shooting, dominated the second half, scoring 13 in the second, 10 in the third, and eight in the fourth. His performance was pivotal as the 76ers mounted a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to turn a three-point lead into a 15-point advantage. Tyrese Maxey, who contributed 25 points and 10 rebounds, praised Embiid’s impact, calling him “dominant” in the second half and highlighting his ability to “insert himself” in critical moments. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum’s 24 points and 16 rebounds, held a 13-point lead early in the third quarter but saw the 76ers rally within a basket twice. Philadelphia’s 15-3 run in the third quarter brought them within one point of Boston, setting the stage for a decisive fourth quarter. Paul George added 16 points and nine rebounds for the 76ers, who had fallen behind 3-1 in the series after losing Games 3 and 4 at home. The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown acknowledged the challenge of containing Embiid, stating, “He had too many easy baskets. We’ve got to make him work.” Brown scored 22 points for Boston, which will try to eliminate the 76ers in Game 6 on Thursday night. If necessary, Game 7 would return to Boston on Saturday. The series context was shaped by the 76ers’ recent struggles.#boston_celtics #jayson_tatum #tyrese_maxey #joel_embiid #76ers
Jayson Tatum injury: Celtics confirm star's status for Game 7 Jayson Tatum will be available for Game 7 against the 76ers, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed. Mazzulla stated during a conference call that Tatum would play in the winner-take-all matchup. Hours later, the Celtics announced they had “no injuries to report” ahead of the game at TD Garden. Tatum dealt with stiffness in his left leg during Game 6, which took place in Philadelphia. Footage from the Peacock broadcast showed him massaging his calf during a second-quarter timeout. He briefly exited the court toward the locker room in the third quarter but returned to the game. The injury was not the same leg that Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in during the 2025 season. Tatum checked out of the game with four minutes remaining in the third quarter and did not return. Mazzulla pulled the team’s starters early in the fourth quarter and played the final 10 minutes with bench players. Tatum finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and three turnovers while playing 29 minutes, his lowest total in a game since March 10. He had logged at least 39 minutes in three of the first five games of the first-round series, including a season-high 42 minutes in Game 3. Tatum downplayed the issue, stating he “wasn’t overly concerned.” He described the stiffness as a minor issue and noted that the game was “a little out of reach” when he left the court. Mazzulla confirmed the team had no concerns about Tatum’s leg and expected him to be fine. The Celtics have had their full roster available for every game in the postseason. Tatum, who made his season debut on March 6, averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.8 assists over the first six playoff games, shooting 47.5% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc.#boston_celtics #jayson_tatum #joe_mazzulla #td_garden #76ers
