Boston Celtics suffer humiliating NBA playoffs loss despite 95% chance of series victory

The Boston Celtics have blown a 3-1 series lead to the Philadelphia 76ers in tonight’s historic and humiliating NBA playoffs Game 7 loss.

After taking a 3-1 lead in their first round Eastern Conference series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics proceeded to lose the following two clashes 97-113 and 106-93 respectively.

In NBA playoffs history, 95.6% of teams leading a series 3-1 have gone on to win, with the historical odds having been exceedingly in favour of the Celtics.

Those odds increased even more with a look at the Celtics’ history - no team of theirs had ever blown a 3-1 series lead since the franchise’s inception in 1946.

The Celtics endured a horrifying Game 7 loss this evening to the Philadelphia 76ers, with superstars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey combining for 64 points in a 100-109 victory to sink the franchise on their home turf.

The Celtics were dealt a harsh blow with the absence of superstar Jayson Tatum, who was unavailable for Game 7 with knee stiffness after being listed as questionable six hours before tip-off.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters prior to the 76ers clash: “He just came in today with knee discomfort… we decided, the medical staff and myself, that he would not play.”

Tatum was averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Eastern Conference first round series, with his offensive threat a major miss in tonight’s Celtics loss.

The Celtics, who were behind for all but 31 in-game seconds of Game 7, almost overturned a ten point deficit in the fourth quarter, but fell to the combined efforts of a 76ers team led by returning 2023 MVP winner Embiid.

Embiid was largely matched offensively by Jaylen Brown, 2024 Finals MVP and Championship winner with the Boston Celtics, who recorded 33 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

The 76ers will now advance in the playoffs and face the New York Knicks, who won their first round series against the Atlanta Hawks 4-2.

The 76ers victory will join a limited list in NBA history - the most notable of which being the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 Championship win, prevailing over a Golden State Warriors team that went 73-9 in the regular season, and 3-1 up against James' team in the NBA Finals.

Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers series results

Game 7: Celtics 100-109 76ers

Game 6: 76ers 106-93 Celtics

Game 5: Celtics 97-113 76ers

Game 4: 76ers 96-128 Celtics

Game 3: 76ers 100-108 Celtics

Game 2: Celtics 97-111 76ers

Game 1: Celtics 123-91 76ers