76ers vs celtics rivalry has long been defined by superstar duels Larry vs. Doc, Pierce vs. Iverson, and more recently, Embiid vs. Tatum. But on Sunday night at TD Garden, the headliners were sidelined, and an unlikely hero grabbed the spotlight.
With Joel Embiid watching from home and Jayson Tatum still recovering from Achilles surgery, the stage was set for role players to become legends. Neemias Queta delivered exactly that, posting a career-high 27 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Celtics to a 114-98 victory over the Sixers . Here’s what you need to know about a game that revealed surprising depth on both sides and what it means for the playoff picture.
Three Key Storylines from Sunday’s Showdown
The Queta Breakthrough: Boston’s Unlikely Anchor
When the Celtics lost Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Luke Kornet from last season’s frontcourt, analysts questioned how Boston would shore up the middle. The answer, it turns out, was already in the building.
76ers vs celtics Queta, the 26-year-old center who began his career on a two-way contract, delivered a masterclass in interior dominance. He shot over 70% from the field, grabbed five offensive boards in the first quarter alone, and added three blocks . By the fourth quarter, the TD Garden crowd was serenading him with “MVP” chants a surreal moment for a player who just three years ago was fighting for guaranteed minutes.
“He has a knack for either gobbling up offensive boards or doing just enough to keep them alive for his teammates,” the Boston Globe noted, highlighting Queta’s relentless energy . His 30 second-chance points as a team underscored how Philadelphia missed Embiid’s interior presence.
Scheierman’s Grit: Playing Through a Fractured Thumb
Sometimes the most compelling stories aren’t in the box score. Celtics wing Baylor Scheierman started Sunday’s game despite fracturing his left thumb his shooting hand in Friday’s win over Brooklyn .
Scheierman wore a splint on the injured digit, struggled from deep early, but delivered the game’s most memorable moment: a corner three at the halftime buzzer, followed by a thumbs-up gesture with his bandaged hand . His message was clear: “I’m not going to sit out” .
76ers vs celtics for a team already missing Tatum, Scheierman’s toughness symbolizes Boston’s next-man-up mentality. Since joining the starting lineup in February, the second-year wing has posted a plus-18.0 net rating third best on the team during that stretch .
Embiid’s Absence Looms Large
The 76ers vs celtics entered Boston shorthanded, and not just because of Embiid’s right oblique strain. Paul George remains suspended for violating the league’s anti-drug policy, leaving Philadelphia without its two max-contract stars .
Tyrese Maxey did everything he could, pouring in 33 points and six assists, while rookie VJ Edgecombe added 23 . But the rebounding disparity told the story: Boston dominated the glass 59-37, turning missed shots into second-chance points at will .
76ers vs celtics Philadelphia’s three-game win streak snapped, dropping them to 33-27 on the season . More concerning? Embiid is expected to miss at least three games total, with a possible return Saturday against Atlanta .
What This Means for the Playoff Race
With the win, Boston improved to 40-20, becoming just the fourth team to reach 40 victories this season . They sit second in the Eastern Conference, two games behind the surprising Detroit Pistons .
Philadelphia, meanwhile, holds the No. 6 spot at 33-27, but the margin for error is slim. The surging Bucks lurk just behind, and every Embiid absence threatens their standing .
The 76ers vs celtics have now split their season series 2-2, with Philadelphia winning two of three early matchups before Sunday’s result . If these teams meet in the playoffs and with Embiid and Tatum presumably healthy expect a war.
Conclusion
The 76ers vs celtics face a quick turnaround, visiting Milwaukee on Monday night, while Philadelphia returns home to host San Antonio on Tuesday . For Boston, the focus remains on integrating Tatum when he returns likely Wednesday against Charlotte without disrupting the chemistry role players like Queta and Scheierman have built .
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