The Philadelphia 76ers delivered a resilient response in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup Tuesday night, defeating the Boston Celtics 111–97 to even the series at one game apiece behind a breakout performance from rookie V. J. Edgecombe and another strong showing from Tyrese Maxey.
Edgecombe powered Philadelphia with 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through visible discomfort after taking a hard fall early in the game. Despite briefly leaving twice for treatment—once in the first quarter and again in the third—the rookie returned each time and continued to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He also connected on six of the 76ers’ 19 three-pointers in a poised postseason effort.
Maxey added 29 points and nine assists, orchestrating the offense efficiently as Philadelphia bounced back from a 123–91 blowout loss in Game 1. The duo combined to carry the offensive load for a 76ers team still without All-Star center Joel Embiid, who remains sidelined while progressing through strength and conditioning following his April 9 appendectomy.
Edgecombe’s performance placed him in rare company. He became the first rookie since Tim Duncan on May 5, 1998, to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game—an impressive milestone in just his second postseason appearance.
Philadelphia shot 47.8% from the field and a red-hot 19-of-39 from beyond the arc, a dramatic turnaround from Game 1. Their improved ball movement and perimeter efficiency helped them control the tempo throughout most of the night.
Boston attempted to mount a late rally after trimming a seven-point deficit entering the fourth quarter to just 91–89. But the 76ers responded with an emphatic 11–0 run that pushed the lead back to 102–89 with just over four minutes remaining, effectively sealing the outcome. The Celtics eventually pulled their starters with just over a minute left.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 36 points, while Jayson Tatum nearly recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. However, the Celtics struggled from long range, shooting just 13-of-47 from three-point territory and 39.3% overall from the field. Their 13 turnovers also proved costly, leading to 16 points for Philadelphia.
The physical intensity remained high throughout the contest, with Edgecombe’s toughness setting the tone for the 76ers’ effort. Philadelphia built a lead as large as 13 points in the third quarter and never allowed Boston to fully regain control.
With momentum now shifting, the series heads to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday night, where the 76ers will look to capitalize on home-court energy and potentially inch closer to getting Embiid back as the matchup tightens.
