The Great TD Garden Ghost: Celtics Vanish in Game 7 Collapse
The Great TD Garden Ghost: Celtics Vanish in Game 7 Collapse
BOSTON — Put the history books back on the shelf, and someone please check the locks at TD Garden, because the Boston Celtics just pulled the ultimate disappearing act. In a performance that can only be described as "Middle School Scrimmage Chic," the No. 2-seeded Celtics didn't just lose a Game 7; they became the first team in the franchise’s 79-year history to blow a 3-1 series lead.
The Philadelphia 76ers, led by a man who apparently treats appendectomies like a minor case of the hiccups, completed the 109-100 heist on Saturday night. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey didn't just advance to the semifinals; they sent the Celtics into an offseason that’s going to feel longer than a 10-episode documentary on defensive rotations.
The "Mazzulla Mystery" Lineup
With Jayson Tatum ruled out 90 minutes before tipoff due to knee stiffness, Coach Joe Mazzulla decided to meet the moment with... chaos. He bypassed the usual suspects and started Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza, and Ron Harper Jr. alongside Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
It was the first time that the quintet had ever shared a floor this season. Predictably, they fell into a 9-0 hole faster than you can say "tactical adjustment."
The Bench Mob Result: Scheierman, Garza, and Harper Jr. combined for a total of zero points.
The Strategy: Mazzulla claimed he wanted to "give the series a different feel." Mission accomplished, Joe—it felt like a preseason game in October.
The Embiid Effect
Joel Embiid, who missed the first three games of the series, decided to make up for lost time by becoming the first player in NBA history to drop 100 points in a series despite missing the opening trio.
"He put a lot of pressure on us," Jaylen Brown admitted. "We didn't really have the answers for him. Also, he was flopping around... and they rewarded him for that."
Embiid finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Partner-in-crime Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, proving that the Sixers' backcourt was more than ready for the bright lights of a Boston exit.
By The Numbers: A Shooting Nightmare
The Celtics’ "Live by the 3, Die by the 3" philosophy finally ran out of oxygen. Despite cutting an 18-point deficit down to just one (92-91) in the fourth quarter, the rims at the Garden suddenly became allergic to Celtics jerseys.
Final 5 Minutes: Boston missed 10 consecutive shots.
From Deep: The C’s shot a dismal 26.5% (13-for-49) from beyond the arc.
History Lesson: Philadelphia improved to 2-10 in road Game 7s. Their only other win? 1982. Somewhere, Andrew Toney is smiling.
Silver Linings in the Rubble?
While the result was a disaster, Jaylen Brown (33 points) and Derrick White (26 points) tried to carry the carcass of the season across the finish line. Neemias Queta also showed heart with a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double, but it wasn't enough to stop the Philly freight train.
The 76ers now head to Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks, while the Celtics head to the drawing board. After being favored by every analyst with a microphone, the "title favorites" are officially out in the first round for the first time in five years.
Next Stop for Boston: An uncertain summer and a very quiet flight home. Next Stop for Philly: New York City.
