76ers’ Joel Embiid has health jokes after Game 7 win: ‘I was faking it’

The Philadelphia 76ers completed a historic turnaround on Saturday night, overcoming the Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 at TD Garden to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Led by Joel Embiid, who finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, Philadelphia became just the 14th team in NBA history to recover from a 3-1 series deficit.

Embiid, who had undergone an appendectomy on April 9 and missed the first three games of the series, made history by scoring 100 points across Games 4-7, the most ever in a playoff series by a player who did not appear in the first three contests. Across those four games, he stacked 112 points, 48 rebounds, 29 assists, and seven blocks, joining rare company and becoming the first player in league history to average at least 28 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks in a first-round series.

Embiid dealt with clear physical strain during Game 7, especially after taking hits to the knee, but postgame, he downplayed it.

“I felt great. I feel amazing. I was faking it,” Embiid joked when asked how his body felt as the series progressed, brushing off concerns about his health with Game 1 against the New York Knicks scheduled less than 48 hours later.

Joel Embiid on his health:

"I feel great. I feel amazing. I was faking it."pic.twitter.com/4IPRuZjIvd

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 3, 2026

He played at least 34 minutes in each of his four appearances, all on one day of rest between games.

The 76ers’ supporting cast played a pivotal role in the outcome of the matchup. Tyrese Maxey compiled 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, contributing clutch scoring down the stretch as the 76ers concluded the game on a 14-2 outburst. Maxey and Embiid became just the third duo in NBA history to each record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a Game 7.

Meanwhile, Boston, playing without Jayson Tatum due to left knee stiffness, was led by Jaylen Brown (33 points, nine rebounds) and Derrick White (26 points). However, the Celtics were inefficient from beyond the arc, shooting 13-of-49 (26.5%) for a third straight game under 30% from three.

Boston entered the game 32-0 when leading a series 3-1, while Philadelphia had been 0-18 when trailing 3-1. The win gave the 76ers their first road Game 7 win since 1982, as well as their first Game 7 success overall since 2001.

The post 76ers’ Joel Embiid has health jokes after Game 7 win: ‘I was faking it’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.