The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 109-100 on Saturday night, May 2, 2026, to win the series in Game 7 [1].

The victory marks a historic shift for the Philadelphia franchise, which overcame a 3-1 series deficit for the first time in its history [2]. This win also represents the first time the 76ers have won a series against the Celtics since 1982 [2].

Playing on the Celtics' home court in Boston, the 76ers relied on a strong performance from Joel Embiid to secure the win [2, 3]. While Embiid provided the interior presence and scoring necessary to lead the team, the Celtics struggled from the perimeter. Boston's missed three-point attempts played a critical role in allowing Philadelphia to maintain and extend their lead throughout the final game [2].

The 109-100 final score cemented a comeback that few analysts expected after the 76ers fell behind early in the series [1]. The victory was achieved in a high-pressure environment, as the team faced both a formidable opponent and a hostile road crowd in Massachusetts [1, 3].

By securing this win, Philadelphia has not only advanced in the playoffs but has also broken a decades-long drought against one of its most persistent rivals. The 44-year gap since their last series victory over Boston underscores the magnitude of the achievement for the current roster [2].

“The 76ers completed the franchise’s first ever comeback from a 3-1 series deficit.”

This victory removes a significant psychological barrier for the Philadelphia 76ers, who have struggled against Boston for over four decades. By overcoming a 3-1 deficit, the team has demonstrated a level of resilience and mental toughness that could define their trajectory in the remaining playoffs. For the Celtics, the loss highlights a vulnerability in their perimeter shooting during high-stakes elimination games.