The Boston Celtics picked up a troubling record after a frustrating Game 7 loss to the Sixers. They became only the second team in the league’s history to lose a playoff series despite recording dominant 30+ point wins. 

The Celtics held a 3-1 lead and looked poised to close the series. Given their 3-0 record against the Embiid era Sixers in the postseason, it did seem achievable. But things didn’t go as expected, as the Celts blew Game 7 despite home advantage.

According to ESPN Insights, only one team has faced a similar collapse. The St. Louis Hawks suffered a similar heartbreak in 1959. They held a 2-1 lead against the Minneapolis Lakers, which included two 30-point wins. However, the Lakers ended up sealing the series, winning the next three games in a row.

The Celtics also had a similar run with a 3-1 lead. They dominated Game 1 and 4 with 30-point margin wins.

The Sixers Game 4 loss caused significant fan embarrassment, with the home crowd leaving the arena early. The Sixers responded by winning Game 5 at TD Garden.

After the win, Tyrese Maxey had a message. “Our fans deserve a win at home,” and he also considered the blowout loss at home "a disgrace and unacceptable." Joel Embiid also vowed to do "whatever it takes" to win the series.

The Sixers fought hard in the next two elimination games and pulled off a franchise record, winning a series with a 3-1 deficit for the first time.

What's next for the Celtics after Game 7 collapse?

Jaylen Brown, who led the team this series with 25.7 ppg, felt the team had chances. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics did have a few clear looks from deep to take the lead, but failed to convert. After trailing by 13, the team brought down the lead to 1 point in the clutch.

The Sixers held their breath during the Celts’ missed attempts and closed out a 109-100 win in Game 7. Speaking of the loss, Brown said, “Nothing to hang my head over.”

Boston Head Coach Joe Mazzulla felt Embiid’s return changed the momentum for the Sixers. “It’s a completely different team, and that changed the series,” he said.

Despite the absence of Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis (all of whom have left the Celtics) and an injured Jayson Tatum, the team reached the playoffs as one of the top teams in the East. But it couldn’t make a deep playoff run. 

Now heading into the offseason, the Celtics front office has a lot of work, looking to build a solid roster around the stars of the playoff series.

Do you think a better supporting cast for the superstar duos will help the Celtics make a deep run next season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Shahul Hameed

Edited by

Surjo Ray