76ers’ Joel Embiid gives Celtics fans props for bringing energy in Game 5

The Philadelphia 76ers are not done yet. They went into hostile territory on Tuesday and upset the Boston Celtics, 113-97, in Game 5 to stay alive in their first-round collision in the playoffs.

The 76ers stunned the crowd at TD Garden, with the All-Star trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George spearheading the charge. Philadelphia inched closer in the best-of-seven series, 3-2.

The seventh-seeded Sixers rallied from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter before outscoring the second-seeded Celtics in the final period, 28-11, to secure the victory.

Embiid, who had 33 points, four rebounds, and eight assists, touted their relentlessness and poise. He also tipped his hat to the crowd for bringing the energy for a competitive environment.

“We did our job. I told the guys, coming into Boston, I’ve been playing against these guys for basically my whole career, they’re going to make a run, and that’s okay,” said Embiid in the postgame interview.

“This crowd is fantastic, especially when they got up and got the lead.”

"This one belongs to you?"

"Yes."

Joel Embiid with his son after scoring 33 PTS against the Celtics to avoid elimination pic.twitter.com/bVe8fAxeBN

— ESPN (@espn) April 29, 2026

More than 19,000 fans showed up in Game 5.

The 32-year-old Embiid has yet to beat the Celtics in the playoffs, losing all three matchups so far.

The former MVP also credited their defense, which held the Celtics to just 40% shooting, including 28% from the three-point line.

When asked about what they need to do to win Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday and force a Game 7, Embiid, who recently had an emergency appendectomy, gave a straightforward response.

“We don’t have a choice. We have to do the same thing we did tonight,” said Embiid.

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