The Philadelphia 76ers kept their playoff hopes alive with a decisive 113–97 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their first-round series, cutting their deficit to 3–2.

Joel Embiid led the charge with 33 points in just his second game back after an emergency appendectomy, while Tyrese Maxey delivered 25 points and 10 rebounds. Paul George added 16 points and nine boards as Philadelphia bounced back from consecutive home losses that had pushed them to the brink of elimination.

The Sixers overcame a 13-point deficit in the third quarter, fueled by a dominant stretch that turned a narrow lead into a comfortable advantage. Embiid played a key role in the turnaround, scoring heavily in the middle quarters as Philadelphia pulled away.

For Boston, Jayson Tatum finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 22.
With the win, the series now stands at 3–2 in favor of Boston. Game 6 will take place in Philadelphia, where the Sixers will try to even the series and force a decisive Game 7.

With the win, the series heads back to Philadelphia for Game 6, where the Sixers will try to even things and force a decisive Game 7 in Boston.

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