Celtics Blow 3-1 Lead in Game 7 Without Tatum, and the 76ers Are Moving On

The Celtics just watched their season implode in Boston. Jayson Tatum sat out Game 7 due to left knee stiffness, and without their star, Boston couldn't hold a 3-1 series lead against the 76ers. Philadelphia won 109-100 in one of the wildest playoff collapses you'll see, and now the Sixers are heading to the second round to face the Knicks.

The 76ers Made Boston Pay

Joel Embiid led the charge for Philadelphia with 34 points. Tyrese Maxey added 28, and VJ Edgecombe chipped in 21 to seal the deal. That's three guys stepping up huge when it mattered most. The Celtics scored 100 points and couldn't get it done. You can't lose that kind of series when you had a 3-1 stranglehold. That's the kind of loss that stings for months.

Tatum Out, Celtics Fall Apart

Boston's biggest problem was simple: they had to play Game 7 without their best player. Tatum's left knee stiffness kept him on the sideline, and the Celtics just didn't have enough firepower to survive that absence. You can point to missed opportunities, you can point to the bench, but the reality is the Celtics had a chance to close this out earlier. Instead, they let it slip away.

Philadelphia advances to face the Knicks next. For Boston, this is a tough way to see your season end, especially when health becomes the story on the biggest stage.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.