The Celtics Blew a 3-1 Lead and Lost Game 7 at Home: The Most Brutal Collapse in Franchise History

I don't even know where to start. The Boston Celtics just did something their franchise had never done before. They were 32-0 all time when leading a series 3-1. Now they're 32-1, and their season is completely done.

The Celtics had all the momentum. They were heading to the next round for a rematch with the Knicks. Instead, they choked away a 3-1 lead, lost three home games in the same playoff series, and put together arguably one of the most embarrassing collapses in franchise history. They lost to the 7-seed Sixers. Losing three games at home in a single playoff series is inexcusable. Add in Tatum missing Game 7 and it's just wild how fast things fell apart from the final four minutes of Game 5 to right now.

The Shooting Collapse Was Brutal

The Celtics needed to be at their absolute best to win Game 7, and they just didn't show up. They finished with 40/27% shooting, and the first quarter was somehow even worse. That's exactly what you can't have in a Game 7.

Jaylen had a horrific first half. Sure, he came alive late and in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough. He needed to set the tone early and was a disaster to start. In a Game 7, that can't happen. Derrick White was supposed to have a big night and looked good early, but he finished 9-26 with just 5-16 from three.

Even with all that, this was a one-point game late in the fourth quarter. It was right there for the taking. Instead, they missed every shot down the stretch. A wide open Jaylen three from the top of the arc. An open Pritchard corner three. A wide open Jaylen paint jumper. All high leverage shots. All high leverage misses. Meanwhile, Maxey came through at the rim on the other end.

They Had Three Chances and Blew All Three

The Celtics could have closed this series out in Game 5 and choked it away. They could have finished it in Game 6 and blew that too. Game 7 was their last shot and they missed everything when it mattered most.

The Sixers completely outplayed Boston and flat out stole this series. When they had to make plays, they made them. When they had to respond, they responded. The Celtics were outexecuted and straight-up beaten, just like what happened in the Knicks series.

Now Joel Embiid and the Sixers are celebrating on the Celtics' floor. Boston's season is over. A summer of uncertainty is just beginning. The Celtics fucked around and found out.

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