The Philadelphia 76ers just completely changed the narrative of this series — and it all came down to two guys: Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
After getting embarrassed in Game 1, the Sixers came out in Game 2 with a completely different energy — and punched the Boston Celtics in the mouth.
Maxey and Edgecombe Took Over
This wasn’t just a bounce-back — it was domination.
- Edgecombe: 30 points, 10 rebounds
- Maxey: 29 points, 9 assists
They combined for 59 points and completely controlled the game offensively.
Edgecombe, especially, had a historic night — becoming one of the youngest players ever to put up a 30-point, 10-rebound playoff game.
And Maxey? He closed the game like a superstar, hitting clutch shots and leading the dagger run late.
Complete Flip From Game 1
Let’s not forget — this same Sixers team got blown out 123-91 in Game 1.
Game 2? A 111-97 win on the road to tie the series 1-1.
That’s not an adjustment — that’s a complete identity shift.
What Went Wrong for Boston
The Celtics looked like the better team early in the series… until they didn’t.
- Shot under 40% from the field
- Couldn’t stop the three-point barrage
- Relied almost entirely on Jaylen Brown (36 points)
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum had a quieter night, and the depth that carried them in Game 1 disappeared.
The Biggest Takeaway
This series just became dangerous for Boston.
The Sixers are doing this without Joel Embiid, which makes it even more impressive — and honestly, more concerning for the Celtics.
If Maxey keeps playing like this and Edgecombe continues his breakout… this isn’t just a series anymore.
It’s a problem.
Bottom Line
What looked like a Celtics-controlled matchup is now wide open. Philadelphia just proved they’re not going away — and might actually be the more dangerous team right now.
