Introduction

If you watched the 2026 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference First Round, you already know how wild it got. The Philadelphia 76ers walked in as the No. 7 seed. The Boston Celtics were waiting as the No. 2 seed, confident and rested. Nobody gave Philly much of a chance.

But then something remarkable happened.

The 76ers vs Boston Celtics Player Stats from this series tell the full story. Tyrese Maxey locked in. Joel Embiid played through everything. VJ Edgecombe looked like a revelation. And in the end, the Sixers pulled off one of the more surprising first-round upsets in recent playoff memory, winning 4-3.

In this article, you get a complete breakdown of every key player stat across the series, game-by-game highlights, and a clear picture of who stepped up and who struggled when it mattered most.

The Series at a Glance

Before diving into individual stats, here is how the seven-game series unfolded:

• Game 1: Celtics 123, 76ers 91 (BOS leads 1-0)
• Game 2: 76ers 111, Celtics 97 (Series tied 1-1)
• Game 3: Celtics 108, 76ers 100 (BOS leads 2-1)
• Game 4: Celtics 128, 76ers 96 (BOS leads 3-1)
• Game 5: 76ers 113, Celtics 97 (BOS leads 3-2)
• Game 6: 76ers 106, Celtics 93 (Series tied 3-3)
• Game 7: 76ers 109, Celtics 100 (PHI wins 4-3)

Philadelphia became just the 13th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series. That context makes these player stats even more meaningful to read.

76ers Player Stats: The Heroes of the Comeback

Tyrese Maxey: The Engine That Never Stopped

Tyrese Maxey was the undisputed engine of the 76ers’ run. He delivered double-doubles in both Games 5 and 7 and was consistently the most efficient scorer on the court.

Game 5 performance:

• 25 points on 55.6% shooting
• 10 rebounds
• 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
• 63.9% effective field goal percentage

Game 7 performance:

• 30 points on 61.1% shooting
• 11 rebounds
• 7 assists, just 1 turnover
• 72.7% true shooting percentage

What stands out about Maxey is his discipline with the ball. In Game 7, he finished with a 7.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. That kind of decision-making in a winner-take-all game is elite. He averaged just over 27 points across the final three games, and Philadelphia went 3-0 in those games.

Joel Embiid: Carrying the Load

Joel Embiid was not healthy. Everyone knew it. He played anyway, and he produced.

Game 5 performance:

• 33 points on 52.2% shooting
• 4 rebounds, 8 assists
• 90.0% from the free throw line

Game 7 performance:

• 34 points on 46.2% shooting
• 12 rebounds, 6 assists
• Drew 14 fouls
• 55.1% true shooting

In Game 7, Embiid posted a double-double and drew the most fouls of any player on the court. His ability to get to the line is still one of the most underrated weapons in the NBA. He also finished with the highest efficiency rating on either team in Game 7, clocking in at 45.

When Boston threw double teams at him, he found teammates. When they backed off, he scored. There was no good answer for Embiid in the late games of this series.

VJ Edgecombe: The Surprise Star

You might not have seen VJ Edgecombe coming. Celtics fans certainly did not.

Game 5 performance:

• 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
• 50% from three

Game 7 performance:

• 23 points on 47.1% shooting
• 5 of 11 from three-point range (45.5%)
• 7 fast-break points
• Plus-19 in plus/minus, the highest on either team

Edgecombe’s activity level and pace bothered Boston repeatedly in the fourth quarters of Games 5 and 7. He converted all three of his fast-break attempts in Game 7, and his plus-19 rating tells you everything about how the game went when he was on the floor.

Paul George: Quietly Clutch

Paul George does not always get the box score headlines, but his all-around play in Games 5 and 7 was significant.

Game 5:

• 16 points on 46.2% shooting
• 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals
• 44.4% from three

Game 7:

• 13 points on 60.0% from three
• 1 assist but 3 turnovers

He was more impactful in Game 5, where his plus-19 and steady two-way performance gave Philly the balance they needed alongside Embiid and Maxey.

Quentin Grimes: Game 5 Shooter of the Night

Grimes went off in Game 5. He connected on 4 of 7 three-pointers for 18 points on 92.2% true shooting. That is an extraordinary efficiency number. Boston had no answer for his catch-and-shoot game off Embiid’s ball movement that night.

Kelly Oubre Jr. and the Supporting Cast

Kelly Oubre Jr. was a reliable secondary piece throughout. He contributed 4-6 points per game in the final three contests with solid defensive rebounding. Andre Drummond provided some unexpected punch off the bench in Game 5 with 5 points on 100% shooting. Dominick Barlow’s hustle plays on the offensive glass in Game 5 kept a few possessions alive that turned into points.

Celtics Player Stats: The Stars Who Could Not Save It

Jaylen Brown: Peaked Too Early

Jaylen Brown was dominant in Games 1 and 4. But in Games 5 and 7, when Boston needed him most, he fell back to earth hard.

Game 5:

• 22 points but on 39.1% shooting
• 5 assists but 3 turnovers
• Minus-17 in plus/minus

Game 7:

• 33 points on 44.4% shooting
• 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
• But minus-16 in plus/minus

The minus ratings paint the clearest picture. Boston hemorrhaged points whenever Brown could not convert efficiently. He shot below 41% in both Games 5 and 7, and the Celtics lost both decisively.

Jayson Tatum: The Rebound Machine Who Disappeared Offensively

Tatum had a memorable stat line in Game 5. He grabbed 16 rebounds, a massive number. He also scored 24 points. But he coughed up 4 turnovers and finished minus-9.

Game 7:

• Tatum did not play (injury)

His absence in Game 7 was enormous. Boston’s offensive structure broke down without him on the floor directing the half-court attack.

Derrick White: Inconsistent to the End

Derrick White had one outstanding game in this series and several quiet ones. In Game 7 he led Boston with 26 points, including 5 threes. But it was not enough.

Game 7:

• 26 points on 34.6% shooting
• 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
• Minus-6 in plus/minus

He needed help. Payton Pritchard chipped in 13 points and 7 assists in Game 7, which was solid off the bench. But with Tatum out and Brown unable to dominate, White carried too much of the load.

Neemias Queta: The Bright Spot

Neemias Queta was arguably Boston’s best player in Game 7. He scored 17 points on 87.5% shooting, pulled 12 rebounds, and was a plus-9. In Game 5, he posted 14 rebounds and 8 points. His double-doubles were consistent, but the rest of the team could not match his level of performance.

Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard: Bench That Gave Just Enough

Hauser hit 50% from three in Game 7 with 11 points. Pritchard added 13 points and 7 assists. Both played solid games. But combined, they could not replace what Tatum brought to the lineup or overcome the defensive advantage Philadelphia gained in the fourth quarter.

Head-to-Head Team Stats: Games 5 and 7 Tell the Real Story

Here is a quick comparison of team-level performance across the two deciding wins for Philadelphia:

Game 5 (PHI 113, BOS 97)

Boston’s 60.9% free throw shooting in Game 5 was catastrophic. You simply do not win playoff games shooting that poorly from the line.

Game 7 (PHI 109, BOS 100)

Philadelphia’s biggest lead in Game 7 was 18 points. Boston’s biggest lead was just 1. The game was never really in doubt once Embiid and Maxey found their rhythm.

The Quarter-by-Quarter Collapse in Game 7

The fourth quarter told the whole story of how this series ended.

After three quarters, the score was Philadelphia 88, Boston 75. Boston then scored just 25 points in the final quarter while Philly added 21. It was controlled, methodical, and merciless.

Boston shot 26.5% from three in Game 7. That is a telling number. This is a team built around perimeter shooting. When those shots do not fall in a Game 7 without Tatum, there is no margin for error.

Why Philadelphia Won This Series

The 76ers vs Boston Celtics match player stats across seven games reveal a few clear reasons Philadelphia pulled this off.

Embiid stayed available. Despite health concerns all season, he played all seven games and delivered 30-plus points in two of the final three.

Maxey elevated at the right time. His efficiency in Games 5, 6, and 7 was among the best of any point guard in the first round of these playoffs.

Boston’s role players went cold. Hauser, Scheierman, and White could not sustain the shooting performance needed without a healthy Tatum in Game 7.

Edgecombe changed the matchups. His athleticism and three-point shooting created a spacing problem Boston never fully solved after Game 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the best player in the 76ers vs Celtics series? Tyrese Maxey led the way with his consistency and efficiency across all seven games. Joel Embiid was equally impactful in the final three contests, but Maxey’s steady presence throughout earns him series MVP honors.

How did Embiid perform in Game 7? He finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block. He also drew 14 fouls. It was one of the most complete big-man performances of the round.

Did Jayson Tatum play in Game 7? No. Tatum was sidelined for Game 7 with an injury sustained during the series. His absence was a major factor in Boston’s loss.

What were Jaylen Brown’s stats in Game 7? Brown scored 33 points but shot just 44.4% and finished with a minus-16 plus/minus rating. Boston outscored during his minutes less than Philadelphia did.

How efficient was Tyrese Maxey in Game 7? He shot 61.1% from the field, 50% from three, and had a 72.7% true shooting percentage. He also had 7 assists against just 1 turnover in 30 points.

What happened in Game 5? Philadelphia won 113-97. Embiid scored 33, Maxey added 25, and Quentin Grimes hit 4 threes. Boston shot just 60.9% from the free throw line and could not keep up.

Who led the Celtics in rebounds across the series? Neemias Queta led Boston on the boards. He grabbed 14 rebounds in Game 5 and 12 in Game 7. Jayson Tatum also pulled 16 rebounds in Game 5 before his injury.

How did VJ Edgecombe perform in this series? Edgecombe was outstanding in the final two games. In Game 7, he scored 23 points with a 45.5% three-point clip and a plus-19 rating. He also converted all 3 of his fast-break attempts.

What was Boston’s three-point shooting in Game 7? The Celtics shot just 26.5% from three in Game 7 on 49 attempts. That is the biggest statistical reason they lost.

Who had the highest efficiency rating in Game 7? Joel Embiid topped both rosters with an efficiency rating of 45 in Game 7, followed by Tyrese Maxey at 38.

Final Thoughts

The 76ers vs Boston Celtics Player Stats from this series are a reminder of how unpredictable playoff basketball can be. Boston had the higher seed, the bigger names, and the home-court advantage. None of it was enough.

Maxey and Embiid would not let it be enough.

Philadelphia showed heart across all seven games. They responded to a 3-1 deficit not by hoping for luck, but by executing at a higher level. And Boston, without Tatum healthy and with cold shooting in the clutch, simply had no answer.

What did you think of this series? Drop your thoughts, share this breakdown with a fellow basketball fan, or check out the full round-by-round playoff coverage for more stat-driven analysis.

also read: newsbeverage.com
email: johanharwen@314gmail.com
Author Name: James Calloway

About the Author : James Calloway is a basketball writer with over eight years of experience covering the NBA. He specializes in data-driven game analysis, player performance breakdowns, and playoff coverage. When he is not breaking down box scores, he is watching film on the next big matchup.