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Embiid, Maxey dazzle in third quarter as Sixers drop preseason finale to Celtics

The Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their 2026 preseason with a hard-fought 125–120 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics, a game that highlighted the Sixers' emerging offensive firepower despite a few shaky moments from the starters. Joel Embiid led the way with 27 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Tyrese Maxey chipped in with 22 points and six assists, both shooting well above 70% from the field.

LeBron James, making his first home appearance as a Sixer, contributed eight points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, though his shooting remained inconsistent at 4-of-9. Boston’s Jaylen Brown also stood out with 20 points and eight rebounds, shooting 8-of-14 from the floor, as the Celtics leaned on their depth to secure the victory.

The Sixers’ bench was noticeably thin, with key players like VJ Edgecombe sitting out due to fatigue, while injuries kept Anfernee Simons, Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow, and Tacko Fall off the roster. Early struggles included three turnovers in the first quarter, but the team showed flashes of transition basketball, including a highlight-reel alley-oop from Maxey to James.

Despite the loss, the Sixers’ offensive chemistry and defensive adjustments hinted at the potential for a strong regular-season start.

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