NBA · October 16, 2026

Seveners Hand Celtics Heartbreak in Overtime Thriller

The Philadelphia 76ers edged out the Boston Celtics in a thrilling 125-120 overtime victory, defying expectations that relied on Boston’s depth to overcome their missing stars. This close contest highlighted how crucial individual matchups became when the game went into extra periods, with Philadelphia’s star power ultimately proving too much for a depleted Boston squad. The final score reflected a hard-fought battle where momentum shifted dramatically in the closing moments, securing a win that felt both surprising and inevitable in hindsight. Looking back, the pre-game narrative underestimated Philadelphia’s ability to close out games under pressure, a factor that directly contributed to their victory. The loss underscores Boston’s struggles without their primary scoring options, a reality that Philadelphia expertly exploited to secure the win.

Many analysts predicted a Boston victory, citing their superior coaching system and the potential for unexpected contributions from players like Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porziņģis. The forecast correctly identified that a high-scoring game was likely, as both teams’ offensive capabilities suggested an open, fast-paced affair. However, it critically misjudged the severity of Boston’s offensive depletion without Tatum and Porziņģis, who combined for a significant portion of their usual scoring output. The pre-game case also erroneously assumed a

star-studded

Highlights

← All analysis

Images and videos courtesy ESPN