Final

Led by James Harden’s Playoff career-high tying 45 points, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 1, 119-115. Tyrese Maxey added 26 points for the 76ers in the victory, while Jayson Tatum tallied 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Celtics. The 76ers lead this best-of-seven series, 1-0, with Game 2 taking place on Wednesday, May 3 (8:00 p.m. ET, TNT).
Tonight marked James Harden’s 10th 40+ point Playoff game of his career, becoming the 11th player in NBA history with 10 or more such games:
Michael Jordan: 38 Games
LeBron James: 28 Games
Jerry West: 20 Games
Elgin Baylor: 14 Games
Kevin Durant: 14 Games
Wilt Chamberlain: 13 Games
Kobe Bryant: 13 Games
Shaquille O’Neal: 12 Games
Hakeem Olajuwon: 11 Games
Allen Iverson: 10 Games
James Harden: 10 Games
James Harden is the 5th player in 76ers franchise history to record 45+ points in a Playoff game, joining:
Allen Iverson (7 Games)
Lee Shaffer
Wilt Chamberlain
Billy Cunningham
Tonight’s victory is the 76ers’ first Game 1 victory in Boston since 1981
Jayson Tatum had his 5th career Playoff game of 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists, passing Paul Pierce for the 3rd most such games in Celtics franchise history:
Larry Bird: 19
John Havlicek: 7
Jayson Tatum: 5
Paul Pierce: 4
Jayson Tatum had his 11th career Playoff game of 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists, passing Bill Russell for the 3rd most such games in Celtics franchise history:
Larry Bird: 26
John Havlicek: 15
Jayson Tatum: 11
Bill Russell: 10
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[@wassuphommie3]

Gotta give credit to Reed, bro was clutch hitting those Free throws

[@CarnagexSena]

Remember how Doc Rivers keep playing Montrezl freaking Harrell over Paul Reed. Imagine playing an old bum over a quality player like Paul Reed

[@drrydog]

Shouldnt have had to, refs blew so many calls, both ways, sure, but 4 points more in swing to celtics, in the last 5 minutes of the game. I dont think they "meant to help celtics" I just think the refs werent in position to see the fouls, or didnt care to

[@rubenpita1585]

But no only hit all 4 FT, they were all but net bro, he even didn't touch the ring.

[@artimp152]

Refs Retirement Fund dials in for Celtics. Must be managed by a Boston Bookie.

[@lpy1102]

this young player just play great, he might not been a big role but he made almost all decision right and execute the task from the coach perfectly.

[@jjcastilllo]

Harden knew he needed step it up with no Embiid. He drop 45 pts and made a clutch three. Great performance from him.

[@shanevanslooten1702]

bro 35 not 45

[@ant8438]

@Shane Van Slooten He dropped 45 not 35 check the stat line and read it twice.

[@hilelshabechi]

@@shanevanslooten1702 Why you trying to correct somebody and you wrong????? It was 45

[@artix1332]

@@shanevanslooten1702 you're illiterate

[@disguiseddv8ant486]

@@shanevanslooten1702 Bro Harden is 33 not 35

[@Sayonachi1]

Brogdon to Maxey is the assist of the night

[@drrydog]

right???? lmao, they needed that to make up for the DISGUSTING freebee freethrows for smart, at end of game. Playing against the refs aint easy, but it's bizarre, because usually harden gets helped by refs lol. karma a bitch I guess

[@wilfredowongjr8702]

Great assist specially for the win😂

[@rroukenoble4252]

😂😂

[@Pun116]

Nah, all the Celtics were playing hot potato with the shot clock down.

[@juwanjones5880]

It’s called point shaving nba is so scripted and rigged so blatantly

[@PACNYY]

Very impressive that they won this game without their best player, on the road against a contender. PHI STRONG 💪. Harden needed this performance and he delivered. 🐐 performance.

[@JuneMacs-oj3dl]

Without their best player? what do you think of harden hes no good 🤣🤣

[@lloydching4063]

@@JuneMacs-oj3dl harden is still allstar caliber but embiid is their best player. Yup they can win a game without embiid but they cant win the series without him. Dummy

[@venom74799]

All that Philly street crack got them boys rolling

[@JuneMacs-oj3dl]

@@lloydching4063 you call him great is he winning mvp 🤔

[@JuneMacs-oj3dl]

@@lloydching4063 nah imbid is a big crying monkey 🤣🤣🤣

[@jayarthlopez8317]

Clutch free throws damn he hits it all.

[@aaronbuckwalter96]

Paul Reed with a clutch performance!

[@drrydog]

yea, if you a celtics fan, would think thats great, to let reed miss freethrows, instead of harden hitting threes... but it didnt work out that way

[@CarnagexSena]

This is huge for Paul Reed, getting some playoffs experience and is continuing to improve his game. I'm excited for his future. 76ers championship soon

[@CarnagexSena]

This is huge for Paul Reed, getting some playoffs experience and is continuing to improve his game. I'm excited for his future. 76ers championship soon

[@rikudouray]

Ye, that clutch.

[@jamirimaj6880]

Paul Reed's freethrows are just beautiful, and we saw this beauty in the pressure-filled close playoff game, too.

[@calebmangold6355]

Reed was clutch with the 4/4 free throw shooting!!

[@chocovv768]

This year's Playoff got them Old Legends crawling back🔥

[@juanpedroarevalo8130]

This epic performance from Harden tonight was a throwback to those unforgettable times where he was playing with the Rockets and scored a lot of points, being very decisive for them in many games through their way.

[@guyfisher9333]

The Beard!!!! Clutch performance by Harden. Celtics look vulnerable

[@ricardobjj24]

James Harden had to remind these people that he's an MVP

[@s_ame1135]

Actually impressed with the defense of Harden against Tatum on that first play.

[@thelowprofile9767]

Agree. Noticed that too. You don't see Harden defend that tight very often.

[@artimp152]

Maybe he got some Lance juice - never seen his legs hold out like this since he left the Rockets.

[@velipulla3936]

Curry wouldnt even try

[@charles_6592]

@@thelowprofile9767 Nah harden just starts playing defense in the 4th. Like in that one game against the grizzlies.

[@jacobwatson1406]

@@velipulla3936Curry literally had the game winning stop in game 4 what are you talking about 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@howardandrews9593]

One of the best games I have ever seen, and arguably one of the greatest performances by a Philly team, or any team, I've seen in forever, and WITHOUT the MVP at that. Harden with the game of his life, Maxxey was huge, playoffs, the 76ers, on the road, short-handed, without their best player, against a good Boston team that couldn't miss at first. Harden, down by 1, 8 seconds left, hits the shot of his career, WOW. This game was LIT. I tip my hat to Philly with this one here, gotta love the playoffs this year

[@nguyentuanlinh6926]

1st, Harden won MVP, Embiid haven't. So 76ers not without any MVP. 2nd, It's one of Harden's great game, not the game of his life by his standard. Harden not only league MVP, he's better than many MVPs in history and deserves maybe 2-3 more. The league trying to write him down but he truly one of the best offensive weapon ever. Offensive weapon, not only scorer.

[@owamagno26]

People pointing out he was in Vegas 4 days before this game. They don’t understand str** club is his fuel.😂😂😂

[@carmeloanthony5267]

He needed that stripper booty juice to hit the game winner 😂😂😂😂

[@thelowprofile9767]

Them strippers get ready for some nice bonus.

[@Jeff_2x]

Shoutout Harden. FINALLY getting the respect he deserves and he showed out and took a game with Embiid out

[@sidedude1641]

People don't understand. Harden was exhausted carrying Rockets in playoffs doing everything during reg season. Now he just cruised in the reg season. He's conditioned.

[@LL-zm9go]

Is that why he struggled mightily against the Nets and shot 4-17 at the rim & 3-13 in the paint that series? This was obviously an outlier. Best game of his career. Won’t happen again.

[@matoff9466]

​@@LL-zm9go he already had a 45 point game in playoffs.. He been scoring 30+ppg in playoffs his whole career as a rocket

[@WGAGENCY]

​@@sidedude1641 that doesn't make sense when he shot 34% from the field last series. If anything the criticism is more valid than ever before.

[@sidedude1641]

@@WGAGENCY Harden pushed ultimate Kd warriors to 7. Same warriors that swept Bron.

[@sulaimanahmed8448]

James Harden's stepbacks are too deadly! Especially 4:07!

[@diethersantos6404]

Yep ngl

[@itscard0man]

That motherfucker invented it lol. Literally

[@brucelau2023]

James harden went back to his old Houston Rockets days for this game tonight Absolutely Silenced the Haters & doubters 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@luisfelipepilha9664]

Philly needs to use red every single game now

[@raymondvankenie3106]

People really forget harden was giving the warriors some serious trouble in Huston so this is no surprise he can deliver like this if needed

[@TheResetNetwork]

Imagine dropping 40+ points and walking off the court after the game nonchalant. This guy, James Harden, is a problem 🔥🔥

[@oggalaxyxxryuma7702]

The thing i noticed was embiid happy asl and james walk off no reaction after that game winner step back🥶 hope embiid takes notes from james cuz this deffo goin to 7, and as a neutral this series gonna be the best of the 2nd round alongside the lakers warriors matchup. Got some super entertaining basketball headed our way folks :)

[@velipulla3936]

ikr curry wouldve taunted everyone

[@thebasketballhistorian3291]

Sixers teammates were hyped up and Harden told them calmly "it's just one game".

[@dcwashington226]

​@@velipulla3936 they are cold 🥶 blooded assassin's but you aren't. 😂✌🏿👌🏿

[@dcwashington226]

​@@oggalaxyxxryuma7702 GSW gonna crush the Lakers might sweep leflop blames

[@effemamancio8571]

Vintage Harden for that dagger 👌🥶🥶

[@sidedude1641]

People don't understand that Harden was exhausted carrying the Rockets against the ultimate Kd Warriors. Lebron can't even win one against that team while Harden pushed that to 7 games.

[@knickssavage9]

Harden king of the world! Wow what a 3! I love you! Go sixers!

[@gab13702]

All legendary players are dominating the playoff series.

[@gavriilnick4225]

except for tatum...cause he is a little boy

[@heyarnold8023]

Harden surprised the hell out of me I have to admit but it was good seeing him back in this mode

[@drrydog]

They actually wanted to foul reed on the first one, accident on the second, thinking he wouldnt make them all. damn, 4/4 on ft, Reed was clutch.

[@yuenkin5772]

Appreciate he’s much more practical and humble

[@Wizzlejames875]

Without Embiid we have no business losing to a team without Embiid

[@fakedazzleful]

I blame the coach. He should of called a timeout but he didnt

[@ryankayombya7576]

​@@fakedazzleful how can you not blame Brogdan loool

[@Wizzlejames875]

​@@ryankayombya7576 funny enough because he and Smart had a great game but both had two costly turnovers in the last min

[@fakedazzleful]

@@ryankayombya7576 oh yea that was stupid for him to pass the ball lol. But still, the coach should of called timeout.

[@hegidaniel7724]

i think for the offense part they're better without him, the defense part takes a hit though. Note : for celtics match-up

[@reginaldebanks8277]

Shoutout to Reed man had a monumental game

[@meccem428]

Harden is the most accomplished player in this series. Just Ring missing on his resume

[@Jonjoneh772]

What a game…. Harden is a beast❤

[@ConAir16105]

Best James in the NBA

[@ryanrowe1975]

Paul Reed making constant free throws and double team to creating enough spacing and versatile to reaching the rebounds.

[@kimandoninztv]

Congrats PHI for Getting the Game1, esp. James Harden for his amazing performance w/o Embid. Its not problem to him.🔥🔥🔥

[@thelowprofile9767]

That cold-blooded trey by Harden though. 🔥

[@Jeff_2x]

Y’all said James was “washed” tho LMAOOOO

[@drrydog]

right??? it was shaq that said that, and maybe chuck. haha, don't say stupid things, about mvps

[@WGAGENCY]

Are they allowed to say he's washed now after a bad performance once again?

[@shawnheidingsfelder8179]

That was a whole bag of "I don't want to shoot it" by Boston at the end there. I can see why they're a bit dysfunctional. They might have blown their chance with no Embiid on the floor.

[@user-vo2bu5oi9k]

Theyre back in their old habits of milking out the clock when they have the lead, obviously they would adjust next game but this shit has been plaguing them for years now. Mazulla is also a overrated coach hes reaping the hardwork of udoka if im being honest.

[@user-vo2bu5oi9k]

Also the sixers is one of the best at initiating slow and surgical offense in the 4th if the celtics dont close then out by the 3rd quarter the sixers has the advantage even without embiid on the floor, theyve had alot of comeback wins this season because of this.

[@hoopgames2341]

45 points by the GOAT King James!🫅👀

[@drrydog]

lolzz

[@mattherner2060]

WOW, what a finish!

[@damaraharalange8511]

At 3:10, Brogdon throws perhaps the worst pass in NBA Celtics playoff history

[@rikudouray]

That's a 3, even if missed they got potential rebound rather than a throw lmao. also the rotation of the ball they're like passing the responsibility for the blame game XD

[@wilfredowongjr8702]

It was most important pass it wins the game😂 for opposing team.

[@whitewalker3292]

You dont pass the ball with 1,5 sec left, Tatum didnt want that turnover

[@cameronmarsh4820]

FEAR THE BEARD🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mediaecw]

Tatum not built for the pressure moments fr

[@FamousJett]

Love the Harden fan going crazy in the bottom left corner @4:06 😂

[@sev7397]

Welcome back James Harden!

[@madeofnapalm]

Reed is shooting FT like that robot during Tokyo Olympics 🤣🤣

[@alexandermaldonado7467]

Thats was a wild game

[@wassimkherif8966]

Harden is a beast...Big player 🔥🔥🔥

[@peterjohnyoung776]

Nice game🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@bernardovillamor6343]

Congrats 👏

[@Dontevista4]

Good to see him mature

[@artimp152]

Wow! Un-f'ing-expected!

[@rodrigooliver9821]

Incrível como os Celtics entregam nos momentos decicivos

[@phillipbismonte2359]

The 4 clutch ft by Reed. I saw mamba mentality.

[@ksrithan]

That first tip by Harden!

[@Nemesis102]

Well done.

[@michellesarciban7528]

Congratulations Sixers!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉woooohhh!!!!❤❤❤

[@mel124177]

Vintage Beard! Couple that with the icy nerves of Reed down the stretch on those clutch FTs. Man, Sixers and the Celts are gonna be the best match-up in the East along with the Warriors and Lakers in the West! Something tells me whoever wins in these respective matchups are gonna meet in the Finals...

[@Brandonatics]

Best commentator on TNT for me

[@mileslopez6185]

Reed was clutch at the end with the free throws!

[@jonathanfunnell4167]

WAY TO GO 76ERS

[@unitednoobz5652]

all the harden haters quiet now

[@dershed]

If history is any indicator, he will run out of gas around game 5 and fade from the series. Better hope Embiid comes back and is at least 75% effective.

[@ILLUSTRATOR_1127]

3:15 Notice how Maxey asked for the ball and Brogdon quickly responded.

[@user-pb4ow7mi8l]

Harden is come back🎉

[@slysal5]

Harden 🥶

[@BaldwinVoice]

Gettum, Philly!!!

[@pauloconlu7673]

James harden is back wow

[@JKamal420]

Vintage harden is on 🔥

[@user-hy9iz5fp3w]

Tyrese Maxey🔥🤴🏾🔥

[@adriansmith2295]

Harden's shot was similar to Trae's clutch shot from the last series vs the hawks only dif is it was a logo shot in a win or go home situation 🔥👌🏽

[@madj7120]

Celtics had 17 free throws vs 76er's 6 free throws. Still pulled a win. Harden only had 4 free throws. Compare this to Giannis who had 23 FREE THROWS ALONE against the heat. Jimmy Buckets and Harden changing agendas. LEtS GOOO

[@kxrenns]

Sixers' defense that led to a steal from Maxey was 👌

[@sunkwong7965]

wow....nice pass

[@trebor6897]

The Celtics played "Not to Lose" in the last Minutes of this game instead of "Playing to Win" .

[@gavriilnick4225]

this team has got to rebuild...get a winner on offense..cause they are shit....

[@therealdeal0225]

if i was maxey on that fast break i wouldve pulled up from 3 and got my rebound for a lay up if it missed because no way anyone wouldve even contested me look at the celtics slacking not even trying to get back

[@user-md6tq3oo1h]

3:17 gotta love the National 2 1/2 step Association

[@user-fl2np5ut3m]

nice steal from Maxey.. although it shld have bn a shot clock violation before he touched it.. he was so surprised that he traveled all the way to d basket.. took 3 steps on that layup..

[@achmadsyariefhidayatullaha4643]

that Brogdon TO tbh thousand of a second away to reach shot clock violation

[@thomasbragdon3927]

I am still recovering from the Bruins meltdown. And now this. Unbelievable

[@troardlevant824]

It's funny how everyone says Harden could not play..45 points...

[@richrichardcalipayan1768]

Welcome

[@RMED-ie7pn]

Maxy Lowkey traveled on the fast break

[@dcwashington226]

😂🤣😂

[@nsgolden2149]

A true wild ending ! Let’s go Sixers 🔥

[@senteevee1603]

Rooting for a 76ers vs suns finals. That way both Cp3 or harden will be a champion 🎉

[@gregoryevans8179]

Best playoff game of Hardens’ career no question. Has to be worrisome for Boston, losing to another shorthanded team at home.

[@fnsir7032]

COLD SHIEKH WITH THE WINNER 4:08

[@jiuverenti]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@GreekSneakCollector]

Fear the mighty Beard!

[@craigduran5487]

Harden finally shows up in a BIG game!

[@matoff9466]

He been doing that in the playoffs as a rocket... Media just focus on the 2 or 3 bad games he had in his playoff career

[@whitewalker3292]

Losing in your home without the opponents best player is tough

[@nicholaseaster58]

Another epic late game collapse by the C’s. Smart and Tatum always seem to be leading the charge. Team lacks consistency.

[@bradleysanchez4201]

MVP James Harden was in the building last night.

[@GenshinLover283]

"Nice pass, Brogdon." Lol

[@collinsk85]

GO SIXERS ❤️💙🏀🙌🏾

[@AyoJerz]

Had to be the outfit. 😎🔥

[@jakedeguzman5675]

Reed with cold blooded freethrows.

[@edsonbreno1390]

PJ TURKER teve lembranças…😮‍💨

[@jackson6032]

That's a first ballot HOF right there

[@NeggyPascua]

Told y'all. Sixers isn't the team to be messed around. If they can sweep this boston team. I think they will win the championship 😅

[@chefscauldroninthekitchen]

Indeed everyone sleeps on the 76ers we are dangerous.

[@NeggyPascua]

@@chefscauldroninthekitchen I like it though. Everyone underestimating sixers squad. It fuels them up. 🔥

[@bobbydigital5236]

Woe, that 3 with 9 sec left was crazy. He could have easily taken him but shot the 3 instead.

[@user-fl2np5ut3m]

Wow im more surprised that harden is playing defense now.. aside from his three, his D on Tatum was key to this victory.. he also prevented brown from driving to d basket

[@kingtsik]

Choked in the last mins

[@objektifakil]

Harden is beast