dailyloe.com – The Philadelphia 76ers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 113-97 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their first-round series on April 28, 2026. Joel Embiid delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 33 points and providing eight assists at TD Garden. The win allowed the Sixers to reduce their series deficit to 3-2.
Tyrese Maxey contributed significantly, adding 25 points and 10 rebounds. Paul George also played a vital role, posting 16 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. The Celtics’ Jayson Tatum scored 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 22 points to the effort.
The Sixers established their competitiveness early, scoring their first basket through a Maxey-Embiid pick-and-pop that led to a three-pointer by George. The team jumped to an 8-2 lead, showcasing solid defense. The Celtics struggled offensively, managing only six points in the first six minutes of the game.
Despite a rough Game 4 loss, the Sixers demonstrated mental resilience in the early stages of Game 5. Head coach Nick Nurse emphasized the importance of effort and grind, stating, “I think that the players are pretty aware that they need to do the effort side of things, the really tough, grind it out things much better.”
Although the Sixers could not establish a significant lead due to offensive stalls, Embiid’s initial shooting struggles included an 0 for 4 start. However, VJ Edgecombe broke a shooting slump by hitting a corner jumper after going 0 for 11 from three-point range in the previous two games. The Sixers attempted 13 three-pointers in the first quarter, making only three, while the Celtics missed 11 of their first 12 attempts.
Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday night in Philadelphia, with the Sixers looking to tie the series. The win in Game 5 marked a critical moment for the team as they fight to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
