The Ringer's Philly Special Sixers Stun Celtics! Game 7 Takeaways with Rich Hofmann!
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May 3, 2026 Rich Hofmann, founder of the Broad Street Bulletin and Philly sports writer. They relive the Sixers rally from 3–1 to stun Boston. Conversation covers Joel Embiid’s return and closing surge. Tyrese Maxey’s clutch drives and defensive growth get focus. They dissect rebounding turnaround, coaching decisions, rookie Vijay’s breakout, and what the win means heading into a Knicks series.
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Embiid's Three Game Renaissance After Surgery
- Joel Embiid delivered a three-game playoff stretch (games 5–7) that Hofmann and Kapadia called among his best, finishing Game 7 with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.
- He returned less than a month after an appendectomy, played 39 minutes in Game 7, dove for loose balls, and dominated despite visible fatigue and physical moments.
Celtics' Chucked Threes And Questionable Starters
- The Celtics' reliance on contested threes backfired; they shot 27% (13-for-49) and many attempts were low-quality pull-ups against tight defense.
- Rich noted Boston's lineup choices (Luka Garza, Ron Harper) were 'reaching' and failed to counter Philly's attack.
How Maxey's Final Drive Was Created
- Sixers late-game design targeted Nemius Kader as a mismatch with Tyrese Maxey; a last-second screen flip and Oubre's actions created the Maxey lane to the rim for a crucial basket.
- Hofmann dissected the play details: Embiid in corner, VJ on wing, Oubre flips the screen, and Maxey beats Kade to finish.