In an intense matchup on Friday night, the Boston Celtics narrowly defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 109-108, marking their third consecutive victory after a tough start to the season. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with an impressive 32 points, while Anfernee Simons contributed 19. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White each added 15 points, helping Boston level their record to .500 after beginning the season with three straight losses. This win also avenged their earlier 117-116 defeat to the 76ers in the season opener on October 22.
The game was significant for both teams as it marked their first participation in the NBA Cup this season. The 76ers, who came into the game unbeaten, were led by Tyrese Maxey, who scored 26 points.
A pivotal moment occurred with just 20.8 seconds remaining when Maxey’s drive brought the 76ers within one point. However, after a turnover from the Celtics, Maxey’s potential game-winning scoop shot missed in the final seconds. Boston’s Josh Minott, who went to the free-throw line with only 3.8 seconds left, missed both attempts, giving Philadelphia a chance, but Joel Embiid’s buzzer-beater three-pointer fell short.
The Celtics enjoyed a commanding first half, leading by as much as 20 points, but the 76ers rallied back, with Maxey tying the game at 72 with 6.5 minutes left in the third quarter. Despite their effort, Philadelphia was unable to take the lead. Embiid, who is on a minutes restriction following off-season knee surgery, managed to score 20 points in just over 25 minutes of play. Rookie VJ Edgecombe also made a notable impact with 17 points after his remarkable 34-point debut against the Celtics earlier this month.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will host the Miami Heat on Saturday night, while the 76ers will travel to Brooklyn on Sunday. This sequence of games presents an opportunity for both teams to build momentum as the season progresses.