The good, the bad, and the ugly: Evaluating how the Celtics blew the series vs. the 76ers – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Flickr)
Boston – A season filled with unexpected triumphs for the Boston Celtics ended in stunning fashion. The team, which secured 56 regular-season victories and the No. 2 seed in the East, watched a commanding 3-1 series lead slip away against the play-in Philadelphia 76ers. Game 7’s 109-100 defeat at TD Garden marked the first time in franchise history the Celtics blew such an advantage, leaving fans to grapple with a first-round exit no one saw coming.
A Season That Exceeded Expectations
The 2025-26 campaign stood out as a major surprise for Boston. Labeled a potential gap year by many observers, the Celtics defied predictions by winning 56 games, including 30 at home. This performance earned them a strong playoff position and showcased resilience amid roster questions.
Individual efforts fueled the success. Jaylen Brown delivered an All-NBA caliber year, capping it with 33 points in Game 7. Derrick White proved versatile, scoring 26 points that night, including 19 before halftime. Payton Pritchard emerged as a reliable scorer, while role players stepped up consistently when needed.
Jayson Tatum’s return from an Achilles injury after 298 days added inspiration. In 16 regular-season games, he averaged 21.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, often resembling his elite form. Coach Joe Mazzulla experimented with lineups, showing adaptability even in defeat.
Grasping Then Losing the Series Momentum
Boston started strong, dominating Games 1 and 4 with blowout wins of 123-91 and 128-96. A 3-1 lead positioned them as heavy favorites, yet cracks appeared. The Celtics dropped three straight, including home losses in Games 2, 5, and 7 – unprecedented in franchise playoff history.
Philadelphia, the seventh seed via play-in, gained confidence. Stars like Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey elevated their games. Embiid proved nearly unstoppable, while Maxey and rookie V.J. Edgecombe delivered key outbursts, such as Edgecombe’s 30 points and 10 rebounds in Game 2.
Defensive lapses hurt Boston most. The team struggled to contain Embiid throughout, with schemes failing under pressure. Tatum’s recurring playoff injuries – three of the last four season-ending ones – compounded issues, including his Game 7 absence due to knee stiffness.
Game 7: Tactical Gambles and Shooting Woes
Tatum’s late scratch forced drastic changes. Mazzulla started an untested group of Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Jaylen Brown, Ron Harper Jr., and Luka Garza. Those three newcomers combined for zero points on 0-for-7 shooting, the first such occurrence for playoff starters since 1971.
Experimental rotations yielded minimal impact. Bench players like Scheierman, Walsh, Harper Jr., Gonzalez, and Garza scored nothing in 53 minutes combined, despite a brief 16-2 spark from Gonzalez. Only benching Nikola Vucevic worked as planned.
Shooting efficiency plummeted late. Boston went 13-for-49 from three in Game 7, following 12-for-41 in Game 6 and 11-for-39 in Game 5. After cutting a deficit to 99-98 with under four minutes left, they missed eight straight shots, sealing the loss.
| Game | Celtics 3PT | Attempts | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 11 | 39 | 28.2% |
| 6 | 12 | 41 | 29.3% |
| 7 | 13 | 49 | 26.5% |
Philly’s Resilience Meets Boston’s Familiar Flaws
Philadelphia’s stars dominated Game 7: Embiid tallied 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists; Maxey added 30 points, 11 boards, and seven assists – the first teammates with 30-10-5 lines in a Game 7. Edgecombe contributed 23 points. Their poise contrasted Boston’s collapse from a 13-point Game 5 lead.
Patterns emerged. Boston has a history of faltering focus in non-title years, like 20-point leads lost to the Knicks or an 0-3 hole against Miami. Jaylen Brown offered no regrets postgame: “Philadelphia is a good basketball team… Nothing to hang our head over. Got no regrets.”
- First franchise 3-1 playoff lead blown.
- Three straight home playoff losses, a first.
- Second team ever to lose series after two 30-point wins.
- 76ers’ first series win over Celtics since 1982.
The offseason arrives with questions about toughness, depth, and closing ability. A likable group enjoyed highs but paid for lapses. Boston resets, knowing better days lie ahead if lessons stick.
