By: Jennifer Portee
4/22/2026
The Sixers didn’t just respond they sent a message.
After getting embarrassed in Game 1, Philadelphia flipped the script Tuesday night, riding the fearless energy of rookie V.J. Edgecombe and the steady fire of Tyrese Maxey to a 111-97 win over Boston, evening the series at 1-1.
Edgecombe played like pain wasn’t even in his vocabulary. After taking a rough fall early that had him limping to the locker room twice, he came back swinging every time, finishing with 30 points and 10 boards. The rookie wasn’t just hooping, he was making history, becoming the first first-year player since Tim Duncan to drop at least 30 and 10 in a playoff game.
Meanwhile, Maxey stayed in full control mode, putting up 29 points and dishing out nine assists, keeping Philly’s offense smooth and dangerous all night. Together, the duo turned what looked like a shaky series into a whole new fight.
Boston tried to creep back into it late, trimming the lead to just two early in the fourth. But Philly slammed the door shut with an 11-0 burst that sucked the life out of the Celtics and sent their starters to the bench early.
Jaylen Brown did his thing with 36 points, and Jayson Tatum with a triple-double, but Boston couldn’t find their rhythm from deep, shooting bricks from three and coughing up costly turnovers that Philly turned into easy points.
And let’s not ignore the intensity, this game had tension from the jump. Brown caught a tech early after a powerful dunk that sent Adem Bona crashing, setting the tone for a physical, emotional night.
Even without Joel Embiid still sidelined, the Sixers looked locked in, shooting confidently and trusting each other to make plays. Edgecombe said it best they knew where the shots were coming from, and nobody hesitated.
Game 3 heads to Philly, and with momentum back on their side, the Sixers suddenly look like a problem again.