In a thrilling Christmas Day matchup, the Philadelphia 76ers edged out the Boston Celtics with a final score of 118-114. Joel Embiid led the way with a strong performance, contributing 27 points and nine rebounds. Remarkably, he displayed exceptional accuracy from beyond the arc, making 4 of 5 attempts from three-point range. He sealed the victory by calmly hitting two free throws with just three seconds remaining, thwarting a late rally from the Celtics.
Tyrese Maxey was the standout player of the night, scoring 33 points and dishing out 12 assists. His ability to deliver in clutch moments was evident as he netted 13 points in the fourth quarter alone, including a crucial layup that extended the Sixers’ lead to seven with about a minute to go. The Celtics saw a valiant effort from Caleb Martin, who added 23 points, showcasing his shooting skills by converting 7 of 9 attempts from three-point territory.
For Boston, Jayson Tatum led the scoring with 32 points and pulled down 15 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown contributed 23 points and Derrick White added 21. The Celtics embraced the holiday spirit by wearing red socks and leggings in conjunction with their green jerseys.
However, Boston faced a setback with center Kristaps Porzingis, who did not play in the second half due to an ankle injury sustained during pregame warmups, adding to the team’s struggles as they experienced their first two-game losing streak of the season.
A key moment in the game occurred when Embiid, after falling during warmups, played through the pain, demonstrating resilience by reaching the free-throw line and making pivotal shots in the closing minutes.
Looking ahead, the Sixers will continue their road trip with a visit to Utah on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Celtics will look to regroup as they host the Indiana Pacers for back-to-back games this weekend.
This matchup not only highlighted the skill and depth of both teams but also provided a festive atmosphere that made for a memorable holiday game. The 76ers showed that if they can keep Embiid healthy, they have the potential to be a significant contender in the Eastern Conference.
Hopeful fans of the Sixers can take encouragement from this performance, viewing it as a positive sign of their growing strength as a team this season.