The Boston Celtics made history by becoming the first team to blow a 3-1 series lead in their playoff history. They lost Game 7 to the Philadelphia 76ers 109-100 on May 14, 2023.
Jayson Tatum missed Game 7 due to right knee tenderness. His absence was significant for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown led the team with 33 points but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory.
The Celtics had a strong start in the playoffs. They won Game 1 against the 76ers by 32 points. However, after taking a commanding 3-1 lead, they faltered and lost three consecutive games.
In Game 7, the Celtics faced a tough challenge. They trailed by as much as 15 points before attempting a comeback. Joel Embiid scored 34 points, leading the charge for Philadelphia.
Key facts:
- The Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead for the first time in franchise history.
- The 76ers lost to the Celtics by 32 points in Game 1 of their playoff series.
- The 76ers trailed the series 3-1 after losing Game 4.
- The Celtics lost to the 76ers 109-100 in Game 7.
- The Celtics had a 15-point deficit in Game 7 before mounting a comeback.
- Joel Embiid returned after an appendectomy just 17 days prior.
This defeat marks another chapter in the ongoing struggles for both teams. The Sixers have not won an NBA title since 1983 and have not reached a conference final since 2001. Jaylen Brown expressed pride in his team despite the loss, stating, “Great season. There’s nothing to hang my head over.” Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey took responsibility for his part in the loss, saying, “That can’t happen. That’s on me. That’s just unacceptable by me.”
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla appreciated his team’s effort despite the outcome. He said, “Watching the guys compete the way they did is important to me, and I appreciate that.” The Celtics will need to regroup and reassess as they look toward next season.
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