The Boston Celtics definitely showed up to Sunday’s Game 7. The Philadelphia 76ers, however, were a different story.
After the Sixers were bested by the Celtics at home on Thursday, the series flipped back to Boston for the deciding Game 7. And for most of Sunday’s game, the Celtics were in complete control in a totally dominant performance, finishing the Sixers’ championship hopes with a 112-88 victory.
At one point the Celtics even lead the Sixers by a 30-point margin. In a Game 7! Suffice it to say, the Sixers had an absolutely horrific performance in their final game of the season. Joel Embiid — fresh off his first NBA MVP award — and James Harden combined for 24 points in 79 minutes of play.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum dropped 51 points — the most ever in a Game 7 — to lead the Celtics in an absolute beatdown of the Sixers.
51 points for Jayson Tatum!
The most ever in a Game 7 pic.twitter.com/BO1tskp8nX
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 14, 2023
With the loss, Doc Rivers now drops to 17-33 all-time when presented with an opportunity to close out a playoff series.
It’s hard to say what will become of this Sixers team in the offseason, but NBA fans were not shy to let their feelings known about Philadelphia’s Game 7 disappointment.