Joel Embiid's Emotional Message After 76ers Beat Celtics in Game 5

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid refused to let his season end Tuesday. The 32-year-old center rallied his team to a stunning 113-97 road victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Game 5.

Philadelphia fought back from a 13-point third-quarter deficit to stun Boston on their home floor. The win pushes the series to 3-2.

Embiid was instrumental in the comeback. He finished with 33 points, eight assists and four rebounds in 39 minutes. He shot 11-of-21 from the field, 0-of-5 from 3 and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.

Just his second game back from an emergency appendectomy, Embiid showed the heart of a warrior. He delivered an emotional message to reporters after the performance.

All seemed lost for the Sixers in the third period. They trailed by double digits and the Celtics controlled the game. Embiid refused to fold. He scored 10 points in the third quarter and keyed a 12-0 run that swung the momentum entirely.

The night was not without its scares. Embiid left the game briefly with an apparent knee hyperextension mid-game. He returned and finished strong, logging 39 minutes total.

After the game, Embiid delivered a heartfelt message.

"I want to do anything I can to win a basketball game. I just want to enjoy this moment," he said, per John Clark of NBCS Philly. "Being a part of this basketball team that's trying to accomplish something. I just want to play basketball."

Embiid has battled injury concerns for the better part of two years. This performance carried extra weight, as the stakes could not have been higher.

"It means a lot. I've pushed very hard to come back to try and help as much as I can," Embiid said. "I did not want to go home, and think about all summer, what could've been. One more game and try to make it back here. That's the mentality. I'm just thankful to be in a position where I get to play. I don't know how long I have that I can do this."

Embiid had ample help. Tyrese Maxey posted 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 43 minutes. Quentin Grimes added 18 points off the bench. Paul George chipped in with 16 points.

Embiid and the Sixers now look to force a Game 7. Game 6 tips off Thursday in Philadelphia.

Related: Joel Embiid Injury News Emerges Amid 76ers-Celtics Series

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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 5:02 AM.