Joel Embiid delivered a defining postgame message after the Philadelphia 76ers completed a 3-1 comeback against the Boston Celtics, saying, “It feels good to win. Obviously, we got a big goal in mind. But finally beating these guys feels pretty good.”
The 76ers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 109-100 Game 7 road win at TD Garden, eliminating Boston in a series that featured major swings in momentum.
Embiid emphasized the adjustment required to overcome a familiar opponent, stating, “Just locking in. Obviously I play these guys for a while now. So you kind of know what they’re doing and they kind of know what we do.”
He also acknowledged the difficulty of the comeback path, noting, “Coming back down 3-1, you know I understand it because we just did it. Missing three of those games and really four because the first game was kind of me just getting back to myself. It’s tough.”
Philadelphia’s star center was firm about the stakes moving forward. “But like I said, we move on to the next one. New York, played them a couple years ago. Good series, ended in six.”
The upcoming matchup against the New York Knicks is already on Embiid’s radar. He described the next challenge as a high-intensity environment, saying, “The Garden is going to be fun. So that’s exciting.”
He also sent a direct message to supporters, adding, “Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”
Embiid reflected on Philadelphia’s late-series execution, crediting structure and discipline. “We just locked in. Credit to VJ, Kelly, Paul George, and Q. Those guys locked in.”
He highlighted defensive responsibility as a turning point, explaining, “It starts with guarding the ball, and the guys did that.”
On individual performance, Embiid also noted how trust within the roster changed the offensive dynamic. “The step that Tyrese has taken, Paul George’s big shots, VJ’s rebound and big shot, it means a lot.”
He reinforced the team-first identity forming within the group. “I think the way we’re playing right now, we’re so in sync offensively and defensively. Guys understand what they have to do.”
Embiid closed by stressing competitiveness as the foundation of Philadelphia’s identity. “We’re going to go out there and do whatever it takes. That makes it easy for the next one to come in and do his job.”
With Boston eliminated and New York next, Philadelphia now shifts into a second-round series built on continuity, physical execution, and late-game shot creation.
