Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
By Joel Reyes
The Philadelphia 76ers moved closer to completing a stunning series comeback against the Boston Celtics, building a 55-50 halftime lead in Game 7 of their first-round showdown in the 2026 Eastern Conference Playoffs on Sunday (PH time) at TD Garden.
Joel Embiid recorded 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Sixers, who are looking to become just the 14th team in NBA history to successfully overcome a 1-3 deficit in a playoff series.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Philly got off to a fast start, grabbing a 32-19 lead after the first quarter. Boston struggled without Jayson Tatum, who missed the winner-take-all game due to left knee stiffness.
There's no quit with the Celtics, who came roaring back in the second quarter. Boston unleashed a 16-2 run to lead for the first time at 37-36 with 6:52 left in the first half.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The 76ers responded, though, finishing the half on a 19-13 run to head into the break with a five-point lead.
VJ Edgecombe and Paul George were the other players to score in double figures for Philadelphia, dropping 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the first two quarters.
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Derrick White and Jaylen Brown stepped up in Tatum's absence, combining for 32 points in the first half.
Payton Pritchard delivered off the bench, scoring 7 points and issuing 6 assists in 15 minutes of action.