The Sixers eliminate the Celtics from the playoffs 44 years later

Philadelphia 76ers had one of those nights that will be remembered in the franchise's history. The team led by Joel Embiid toppled the Boston Celtics 109-100 in the seventh game, completing a comeback that seemed impossible after being down 3-1 in the 2026 NBA Playoffs series.

It wasn't just another victory: it marked the end of a 44-year wait without eliminating their archrivals in the playoffs.

If there was a moment to shine, Embiid chose it. The Cameroonian center delivered what was possibly his most decisive postseason performance, leading his team in the decisive game with authority and leadership.

"It feels good to win," he admitted after the game. "We have a bigger goal, but finally overcoming this team is something very special."

A Historic Comeback

The Sixers' triumph not only had symbolic value. Philadelphia became only the 14th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

Until that moment, the precedents were overwhelming:

• The 76ers had a 0-18 record when facing a 3-1 deficit
• On the other hand, the Celtics had a flawless 32-0 record when leading by that same margin

Two opposing trends that were shattered in a single night.

End of Decades of Green Dominance

The victory also put an end to a very painful streak for Philadelphia. They had not defeated Boston in playoffs since 1982 and had lost six consecutive series to the Celtics, including three with Embiid already on the roster.

The matchup between these two franchises, one of the most iconic in the league, now counts 23 playoff encounters, the most repeated clash in NBA history. This time, victory belonged to the Sixers.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los Sixers eliminan a los Celtics de los playoffs 44 años después