The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers faced off on February 2, 2025, in what turned out to be one of the most thrilling games of the season. The Celtics were down by as much as 26 points, but they fought back in the second half to pull off a jaw-dropping 118-110 victory at the Wells Fargo Center.
For most of the game, it looked like the 76ers had everything under control—until the Celtics flipped the script in the fourth quarter, completely turning the game around. Let’s break down how this incredible comeback happened!
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First Half: 76ers in Full Control
The 76ers came out strong, looking dominant from the opening tip. Tyrese Maxey was on fire, finishing the game with 34 points, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. Guerschon Yabusele also stepped up, scoring 21 points.
Boston, on the other hand, was struggling to find its rhythm. Their shots weren’t falling, their defense looked slow, and Philadelphia took full advantage. By halftime, the 76ers were in complete control with a big lead that seemed insurmountable.
Third Quarter: Extending the Lead
If the first half was impressive for Philly, the third quarter made it look like they were heading for a blowout win. They extended their lead to 26 points, with their offense still firing on all cylinders. The Celtics were still cold, and it seemed like this game would end in a comfortable 76ers victory.
But then something changed.
Boston slowly started chipping away at the lead, making a few key shots and tightening up their defense. By the time the third quarter ended, there was a small glimmer of hope for the Celtics.
Fourth Quarter: The Celtics Flip the Script
And then—boom! Boston completely took over the game.
Jayson Tatum led the charge, scoring 13 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter alone. He was unstoppable, hitting shots from all over the floor and making big plays when it mattered most.
But it wasn’t just Tatum—Jaylen Brown played a crucial role too, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points and five blocks to dominate defensively.
The Celtics outscored the 76ers 38-16 in the fourth quarter, completely flipping the game on its head. The once 26-point lead disappeared, and before anyone knew it, Boston had taken control.
How Did Boston Pull This Off?
- Three-Point Shooting Came Alive – The Celtics made 21 three-pointers in this game, with 14 of them coming in the second half. They started knocking down shots at the right time.
- Lockdown Defense – Boston tightened up their defense in the fourth quarter, forcing turnovers and making every shot tough for Philly.
- Philly Felt the Absence of Embiid & Paul George – Without Joel Embiid and Paul George, the 76ers didn’t have a go-to scorer in crunch time, and it cost them.
What Does This Mean for Both Teams?
This win was huge for Boston, bringing their record to 35-15 and keeping them among the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Their ability to stay composed under pressure and fight back proves they are serious championship contenders.
For Philadelphia, this was a brutal loss. They dropped to 19-29, and while they looked great for most of the game, their fourth-quarter collapse exposed some major weaknesses—especially their lack of depth when key players are missing.
Looking Ahead
- Celtics: Next up, they’ll face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are also playing great basketball. If Boston keeps up this energy, they’ll be tough to beat.
- 76ers: They need to regroup quickly and figure out how to close games better, especially while waiting for Embiid and Paul George to return.
Final Thoughts
This was a reminder of how unpredictable basketball can be. A 26-point lead should have been enough, but the Celtics refused to quit and pulled off one of the most impressive comebacks of the season.
For Boston, it’s a momentum-boosting win. For Philly, it’s a painful lesson in finishing games.
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