The No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers pulled off one of the most shocking 3–1 comebacks in NBA history against the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round, capped by a resilient 109–100 Game 7 victory behind a vintage performance from Joel Embiid.
Embiid, who was clearly laboring at times, scored a game-high 34 points on 12-of-26 shooting along with 12 rebounds and six assists. The former MVP also became the first player in NBA postseason history to score 100 points in a series after missing the first three games. It’s a fitting record for Embiid to hold considering his arrival in Game 4 was the single most important turning point in the series, even if the payoff wasn’t instantaneous.
The Sixers win Game 7 and become the 14th team in NBA history to pull off a 3-1 comeback! pic.twitter.com/EW3a0Qyrjz https://t.co/zAwA956ygs
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 3, 2026
Leading the Comeback
His return initially appeared to be a futile attempt at salvaging a lost series for Philadelphia, as Embiid was welcomed back with a 128–96 point loss that put the team one loss away from elimination despite the team-high 26 points he tallied. The 33-point performance he delivered in Game 4 breathed life back into the 76ers as they set forth on the comeback trail, and he played the perfect sidekick to fellow star Tyrese Maxey by tallying 19 points and 10 rebounds in what ended up being a pivotal Game 6.
JOEL EMBIID TONIGHT:
34 POINTS
12 REBOUNDS
6 ASSISTSWARRIOR pic.twitter.com/44daOYEahR
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 3, 2026
In a lot of ways, it feels like this comeback is the most definitive crowning point of the post-Process era. The Celtics had never blown a 3-1 lead before in their storied franchise history, and it couldn’t be more poetic that the team to finally hand them that mark was a rival that has historically been closer to a bullying victim than an actual peer throughout their history. In fact, Joel Embiid and company produced the 76ers' first playoff series win over Boston since 1982, back when Dr. J and Moses Malone were running the league.
How Will Embiid Hold Up?
Given what the 76ers just pulled off with Embiid back in the picture, it would be somewhat foolish to count them out against the New York Knicks in the second round under the presumption that Embiid is able to make it through the series intact. The problem is, with Embiid’s injury history and the visible discomfort displayed at times during Game 7, that presumption is probably closer to a prayer. It turns out, he has some outstanding beef with Knicks' big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
No player in the league plays through pain as much as Embiid does, but he played in only three games during the first round. The Knicks are a far grittier and frankly more talented team top to bottom than this version of the Celtics is, and you have to wonder if they will be able to grind the big fella down over the course of a long series.
That tough guy act ain’t cutting it .... you know what you are.. you know what you’ve always been>>> A PUSSY (SAY IT LOUDER FOR PEOPLE IN THE BACK) Been kicking your ass and pretty please make the playoffs before you talk. It’s a known thing that I OWN YOU. @KarlTowns pic.twitter.com/Izqwk3pEnM
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) October 31, 2019
As foolish as it would be to count the 76ers out of this series with Embiid playing the way he is, it would be equally as foolish to trust that he has enough left in him to not only get through the series but to get through it victoriously. Maxey is one of the most dangerous backcourt talents in the league, and he will surely be the face of the 76ers for years to come, but it’s still Joel Embiid’s team while he’s on the court, and as such, they still live and die by his performance when push comes to shove in the postseason.
The Knicks host the 76ers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Monday, May 4, at 8 p.m. ET.
