Defying expectations, the Boston Celtics have been knocked out of the primary spherical of the playoffs by a resurgent Philadelphia 76ers. An enormous purpose for that turnaround was the 76ers’ star Joel Embiid. The Celtics have nice gamers, however no reply for the Course of. He straight-up took Boston aside.
It is fairly doable that Embiid has the worst luck within the NBA. He is handled plenty of accidents in his profession, however the kicker was him needing an appendectomy proper earlier than the 2026 Playoffs began. He ended up lacking the primary three video games of the sequence, lastly returning in recreation 4.
By the tip of that recreation, the Celtics have been up three video games to 1 with the expectation that they’d put the 76ers to mattress. As an alternative, Philly took the following three video games and gained the sequence 4 video games to a few. It was solely the 14th time in NBA historical past that occurred within the playoffs.
The Celtics’ collapse was historic, to not point out an indication that their championship window is probably going closed with this particular roster. Whereas they’ve plenty of nice gamers, they merely shouldn’t have anybody on the present workforce to have what it takes to face off towards a man like Embiid.
Embiid has reminded everybody within the NBA who he’s
Frankly, it has been straightforward to neglect precisely how good a basketball participant Embiid might be when he is wholesome. That is largely because of his lengthy damage report. Whereas recreation 4 was a bit tough for him and the 76ers, he got here again in a giant approach within the subsequent three video games and owned the Celtics.
It did not assist that Jayson Tatum was injured and on the bench for recreation seven. Take into account that him being on courtroom did not forestall Boston from dropping video games 5 and 6. What the Celtics have been actually missing was a giant man who may put up any actual protection towards a flexible huge man like Embiid.
With him taking part in, the spacing modified and opened up extra alternatives for Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe to make the most of. Embiid had three double-doubles in 4 video games after his return within the playoffs. Plus, he is thought-about an important defender and elite rim protector.
Boston would not have a giant man like Embiid. They’ve lengthy relied on their three-point capturing to get them by, however that is simply not sufficient anymore. In the event that they wish to keep aggressive, the Celtics are going to want a flexible huge man of their very own, or one other title will stay out of attain.
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