AT THE HALF: 76ers lead Celtics 55-50 in winner-take-all Game 7 as Tatum sits out

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AT THE HALF: 76ers lead Celtics 55-50 in winner-take-all Game 7 as Tatum sits out image

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.