Celtics drain 24 threes in blowout win over 76ers, Embiid’s return ends in an even heavier loss

The return of Joel Embiid was supposed to boost the Philadelphia 76ers—but instead, it coincided with an even heavier defeat. Facing the Boston Celtics on the road, the 76ers suffered a crushing 96–128 loss, falling behind 1–3 in the series as the Celtics claimed match point.

The first three games had been competitive, with both teams trading wins. Game 3 even went down to the wire, where Jayson Tatum hit a decisive three-pointer. However, Embiid’s return failed to shift momentum—instead, Boston took full control.

Philadelphia struggled from the outset, trailing 18–34 in the first quarter. Despite attempts to rally, they never truly closed the gap, and a 33–22 fourth quarter by Boston sealed the blowout.

For the Celtics, Payton Pritchard led the charge off the bench with 32 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, including 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. Tatum delivered a near triple-double with 30 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 7 boards.

On the 76ers’ side, Embiid posted 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 9-of-21. Tyrese Maxey contributed 22 points and 6 assists, yet the team lacked sustained offensive rhythm.

The numbers tell the story: Boston shot 45% from three (24-of-53), compared to Philadelphia’s 30%, and dominated the boards 51–30. That rebounding edge allowed the Celtics to generate more second-chance opportunities and confidently launch from deep.

Although the 76ers edged ahead in points in the paint, fast-break scoring, and points off turnovers, those advantages were overshadowed by Boston’s superior shooting and rebounding.

With the series heading back to Boston, the big question remains: can Embiid and the 76ers mount a comeback from a 1–3 deficit?