The 76ers, From Play-In, Eliminate The Celtics And Challenge The Knicks

The night that shook the NBA: The 76ers, from the play-in, eliminate the Celtics and challenge the Knicks

Philadelphia, as seventh seed, beats Boston in the seventh game (109-100) and will face New York in the East semifinals; in the West, Thunder-Lakers and Spurs-Timberwolves, the defined duels

In one of the biggest surprises in the recent history of the NBA playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers have achieved what seemed impossible: eliminating the Boston Celtics, second in the Eastern Conference, in a dramatic seventh game played at the TD Garden. With a final score of 109-100, the Sixers, who reached the postseason after passing the play-in as seventh seed, have shown that the home court factor and initial bets are not infallible. This victory not only represents a milestone for the Pennsylvania franchise, but also rewrites the expectations of the entire conference, placing the New York Knicks, already waiting for a rival, before an unexpected challenge.

The match was a monologue of resilience and tactical adjustment on the part of the visitors. After a first half in which the Celtics imposed their pace, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combining for 45 points, the 76ers reacted in the third quarter with a defense that stifled Boston's options. Joel Embiid, an undisputed pillar, dominated the paint with 38 points and 14 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey contributed 27 points from the perimeter. The key was Philadelphia's ability to neutralize the Celtics' inside play, limiting Kristaps Porziņģis and the local insiders to a meager 35% accuracy rate in the second half.

For the Celtics, this elimination is a hard blow after an outstanding regular season, where they finished with the second best record in the East. The lack of consistent play from the bench and concentration problems in decisive moments took their toll. In contrast, the 76ers, led by Nick Nurse, have turned their status as underdogs into a very powerful weapon. “We knew we had the talent to win on any court,” the coach declared after the game. “We have played with the pressure of those who have nothing to lose, and that has freed us.” Now, with the home court factor against them, they will visit Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks who arrive rested after sweeping the Atlanta Hawks in six games.

The Eastern Conference semifinals therefore remain with a high-voltage duel: New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks, fourth in the regular season, base their strength on an aggressive defense and the leadership of Jalen Brunson, who averaged 28.5 points in the previous series. However, the Sixers' seniority and versatility, especially with Embiid healthy, present a major question mark. In addition, the other pending Eastern semifinal will pit the winner of the Detroit Pistons-Orlando Magic series against the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers-Toronto Raptors duel, both reaching the seventh game. These matchups promise equality and strong emotions, with teams that have shown a great capacity to adapt.

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the semifinals are already completely defined after the major surprise of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who eliminated the Denver Nuggets, defending champions and third seeds, in a series that culminated in a resounding 4-1. The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, exhibited solid team basketball that neutralized Nikola Jokic. Now they will face the San Antonio Spurs, who swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round, in a duel that pits two of the league's most promising franchises against each other.

The other side of the west bracket presents one of the most anticipated classics: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder, first in the regular season, arrive after a comfortable victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, showing surprising maturity with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the star. The Lakers, fifth, beat the Sacramento Kings in six games, supported by the experience of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This duel is not only a clash of styles—the young and fast Oklahoma against the experienced and physical LA—but also a rematch of recent playoffs, with the home court factor in favor of the Thunder.

The following table summarizes the semifinal pairings in both conferences, reflecting a scenario where surprises have already set the tone and where no favorite is invincible. The prevailing equality suggests that the 2026 playoffs will be remembered for their unpredictability and competitiveness.

Analysis of these confrontations reveals interesting trends. In the East, the Sixers have shown that their defense can neutralize any attack, but their offensive consistency away from home will be tested in the noisy Madison Square Garden. The Knicks, for their part, will have to control the pace of the game and prevent Embiid from dominating the painted zone. In the West, the Thunder-Lakers duel revolves around the Angelenos' ability to contain Gilgeous-Alexander and exploit their advantage in the inside game with Davis. On the other hand, Spurs-Timberwolves is a confrontation between two teams with elite defenses, where the battle in the paint between Gobert and the Spurs' play will be decisive.

Looking ahead, these semi-finals promise long and physical series. Bench depth will be crucial, especially on teams like the 76ers and Timberwolves, who rely on a tight but highly effective core. Fatigue and injuries could lead to balanced series, and the playoff experience of figures like LeBron James or Joel Embiid could make the difference in hot moments. Furthermore, the psychological factor of having eliminated a favorite like the Celtics gives the 76ers invaluable confidence, but also makes them the team to beat for the rest of the competitors.

In summary, the 2026 NBA playoffs have entered a phase of maximum intensity with surprises that have already shaken the status quo. The elimination of the Celtics by the 76ers is the clearest example that in modern basketball, any team on its best night can aspire to anything. Now, with the semifinals on the horizon, the show is assured, and Spanish fans and fans from around the world will closely follow each match, knowing that in this postseason, nothing is written until the last second.

FAQ: Answers to questions about the 2026 NBA Playoffs

Question: How did the 76ers manage to eliminate the Celtics as a seventh seed?
Answer: The 76ers took advantage of their aggressive defense and the stellar performances of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. In addition, his experience in decisive games and Nick Nurse's tactical adjustments neutralized the Celtics' attack in key moments, especially in the third quarter of game seven.

Question: Who is the favorite in the East semifinals between the Knicks and 76ers?
Answer: Despite the surprise against Boston, the Knicks arrive with the home court factor and a superior record in the regular season, which places them as slight favorites. However, the 76ers' morale boost and ability to play without pressure make the series very balanced.

Question: When are the Eastern Conference semifinals played?
Answer: The Eastern semifinals will begin this morning, with the first game between the Knicks and 76ers at Madison Square Garden. The other series, between the winners of Pistons-Magic and Cavs-Raptors, is scheduled to begin immediately after the participants are defined.

Question: Why are the Timberwolves considered a surprise in the West?
Answer: The Timberwolves eliminated the defending champion and third-seeded Denver Nuggets in five games. Their cohesive defense and Anthony Edwards' growth as a superstar have made them a serious title contender, something unthinkable at the start of the playoffs.

Question: What chances do the Lakers have against the Thunder?
Answer: The Lakers rely on the experience of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to compete against the young and talented Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If the Angelenos can control the pace and limit Oklahoma's quick attacks, they have options; Otherwise, the home court factor and the Thunder's depth could be decisive.

Question: How do the Knicks get to the semifinals?
Answer: The Knicks arrive after beating the Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in the first round, showing a solid defense and a balanced attack. Jalen Brunson was the standout, and the team has used the extra time off to regain strength and study their new rival, the 76ers.

Question: What does the home court factor mean for the 76ers?
Answer: It means that the 76ers will play games 1 and 2 on the road against the Knicks, which requires winning at least one road game to keep their chances alive. Historically, teams that overcome the home court factor are more likely to advance, but the Sixers have already shown they can win on hostile courts, like in Boston.

Question: Who was the most valuable player in the Celtics-76ers series?
Answer: Joel Embiid was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the series, with averages close to 35 points and 12 rebounds per game. His presence in the paint and his ability to score in critical moments were decisive in the Celtics' elimination.

Question: Which teams have not yet defined their rival in the East?
Answer: The winners of the Detroit Pistons-Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers-Toronto Raptors series have yet to be determined, both reaching the seventh game. The winner of these matchups will face the other already known Eastern semi-finalist, which is the winner of Knicks vs 76ers.

Question: Where can you follow the NBA playoffs in Spain?
Answer: The 2026 NBA playoffs are broadcast in Spain through platforms such as Movistar Plus+ and NBA League Pass, with live coverage and specialized analysis. You can also follow them on digital media and social networks with real-time updates.

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