Watch: Joel Embiid hits ridiculous FULL-COURT shot to unbelievably tie the game but time runs out before he released it
Joel Embiid's desperation heave against the Boston Celtics hit nothing but the net. Time, however, had run out on the superstar center and the Philadelphia 76ers as they lost 110-107 to their rivals.
Jayson Tatum hit the crucial go-ahead three-pointer over De'Anthony Melton with 1.3 seconds left in the game for the final score. Embiid took just one dribble to launch the potential game-tying Hail Mary but couldn't get it off his hands to beat the clock.
WHAT AN ENDING IN PHILLY 😱
TATUM HITS FROM 3. EMBIID'S SHOT FROM 3/4 COURT IS AFTER THE BUZZER
CELTICS WIN https://t.co/TKrrTYHQzI
It was another sorry loss for the Philadelphia 76ers who has had trouble beating the Celtics over the last few years. They had a 15-point lead in the third quarter but couldn't hold off the poised crew from Beantown.
Joel Embiid played like a man on a mission tonight. In the 76ers' last meeting against the Celtics, the reigning Eastern Conference champs didn't have four starters in their lineup.
Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III weren't available due to their respective injuries. Al Horford was given the night off to play cheerleader. The Celtics also lost Jaylen Brown to a facial injury after accidentally colliding with Jayson Tatum.
Still, Boston's reserves, led by Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White, came through. They each scored 19 points apiece to lead the Celtics to the win as Tatum was also having a horrible night, finishing with a season-worst 12 points.
Joel Embiid, without Horford and Williams, finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, and an assist. Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, and Blake Griffin each had eight rebounds, one more than the massive Embiid can grab.
Tonight, "The Process" went to work early and often. Even with Boston's starting frontline available, he was still mainly unguardable. He ended the night with 41 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
Joel Embiid just couldn't get a break as time expired just as his miracle shot went in.
Boston is now 3-0 this season against Philly.
Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum could meet again in the playoffs
The Boston Celtics (44-17) hold a four-game edge over the Philadelphia 76ers (39-20) for the best record in the Eastern Conference. They're likely to blast their way to the playoffs based on their win-loss slate and the way they have been playing.
Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum could meet in the conference finals. The Boston Celtics have been playing like they're the best team in the NBA this season, but Philadelphia has made strides as well.
Philly was one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the All-Star break. At one point, they were ninth in the standings, but have catapulted to third behind Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey.
Joel Embiid in rivalry with Boston: “JJ mentioned it, this is not a rivalry. I don’t know our record against them but it’s pretty bad. They always kick our ass.” https://t.co/IwuJ0YLL9A
Embiid and his crew will have their work cut out for them against Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics. They are winless against Boston in three tries this season and have lost to them the last two times they met in the playoffs.
The Celtics won 4-1 in 2018 and swept them 4-0 in 2020. Joel Embiid is 1-8 against Jayson Tatum in the postseason.
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