Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 23.5
VJ Edgecombe – 16
Joel Embiid – 12.5
Paul George – 8
Kelly Oubre Jr. – 5
Justin Edwards – 4
Andre Drummond – 3
Quentin Grimes – 3
Jared McCain – 3
Dominick Barlow – 2
MarJon Beauchamp – 2
Adem Bona – 1
Porter Martone – 1
Cam Payne – 1
Jabari Walker – 1
Trendon Watford – 1
15th roster spot – 1
The Sixers traveled to Boston for a do-or-die Game 5 at TD Garden, staring at a 3-1 series deficit. All hands-on deck for the Sixers as they were trying
to keep their season alive.
Cold shooting from both teams was the theme of the first quarter in this one. Both teams struggled to find the range. Two Paul George threes early helped the Sixers race out to an 8-2 advantage, but they could not capitalize on the cold Boston start and extend that lead. The Celtics led 23-21 after the first period.
The Sixers and Celtics traded runs throughout the second quarter. Embiid led the Sixers with 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting but went 0-for-5 from three. Tyrese Maxey put in 13 points of his own to help keep the Sixers within striking distance. Boston, paced by 14 points from Jayson Tatum, took a 57-50 lead into the half.
The Celtics led by as many as 13 points early in the third quarter. The Sixers used seven made three-pointers and a dominant quarter from Embiid to make this anyone’s ball game headed to the fourth. Embiid made a concerted effort to dominate in the low post and attack around the rim where the Celtics have no answer. A Boston run late in the quarter stretched the lead to eight points and it looked like they might run away with it. The Sixers swung back, knocking down multiple timely shots to make a run of their own and make it an 86-85 score after three.
The Sixers kept it rolling early in the fourth quarter, taking a two-point lead on the first possession of the fourth quarter. A huge fourth quarter from Quentin Grimes, Embiid and Maxey, and a locked-in effort defensively and on the glass, carried the Sixers to another day. The Sixers blew the Celtics out in the fourth to take a 113-97 victory on the road. LET’S GO HOME!
Joel Embiid: 33 points, 8 assists, 2 blocks, 12-for-23 from the field, 39 minutes
What more is there to say about Joel Embiid? The Sixers’ franchise star turned in a massive performance in this one. Embiid struggled to find his range early in the game, going 0-for-5 from the three in the first half. He didn’t let that deter his confidence as he dominated in the post and mid-range all night long. The Celtics had no answers for the Sixers big man as he dominated single coverage and punished doubles with kickouts for open looks. Embiid’s defense down the stretch was dynamite as well, playing up to the line of the screen, containing drives on switches, and contesting shots at the rim. As he has so often over the last decade, the Sixers’ Superman put on his cape once again to keep the Sixers’ season alive.
Quentin Grimes: 18 points, 5-for-8 from the field, 4-for-7 from three
THE QUENTIN GRIMES GAME. Welcome to the 2026 postseason, Quentin Grimes. Grimes, who has been quiet this entire series, made his presence felt in Game 5 to the tune of a huge 18 points off the bench. Grimes’ quick trigger from three was a welcomed sight compared to the hesitancy and lack of efficiency on open threes from Oubre throughout this series. The Sixers likely had no chance in this series without getting something from Grimes off the bench and he stepped up huge tonight on both ends. Grimes late-game defense on Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum was outstanding as he made life difficult for the Celtics stars — and did so without fouling.
Tyrese Maxey: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 10-for-18 from the field
There’s probably nobody as happy about Joel Embiid’s return as Tyrese Maxey. Maxey got cleaner looks than he’s had all series tonight from both three and mid-range and he made the most of them, turning in his most efficient game of the series. The Embiid and Maxey two-man game was operating on all cylinders as Embiid was dialed in from mid-range and Maxey picked his spots to hunt his own shots. If the Sixers can get this Maxey going forward in this series, they have a good chance of getting back to Boston for a Game 7.
