Before the Philadelphia 76ers tipped off their Game 3 battle at home against the Boston Celtics, the team honored a new star player in the city.
Across the street, the Philadelphia Eagles are welcoming a wave of new rookie talent this weekend as the 2026 NFL Draft is taking place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
On Thursday, April 23, the Eagles made their one and only first-round selection of the year. The team took on the USC star wide receiver Makai Lemon. Roughly 24 hours later, Lemon was sitting behind the basket, donning a Tyrese Maxey jersey.
The Sixers even had the rookie first-rounder do the honorary bell ring before the game tipped off as well.
Makai Lemon Rings In Game 3 For The 76ers-Celtics
GettyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Makai Lemon of USC celebrates after being selected twentieth overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
via NBA on X: Philadelphia Eagles’ first-round pick Makai Lemon rings the bell before the Celtics/76ers Game 3 🔔
Lemon got a chance to ring in the first playoff game at home for the Sixers this season.
After cracking the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed, the Sixers picked up a first-round series against the Boston Celtics. In their first game on the road in Boston, the 76ers suffered a double-digit beatdown.
However, brooms weren’t coming out as many suspected they would. In Game 2, the Sixers stunned the Celtics on the road, forcing an automatic Game 5. It was a great momentum-builder, while shorthanded.
The 76ers Drop The Ball In Game 3
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 22: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the Houston Rockets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Unfortunately for Lemon, his first set of 76ers action as a member of the Eagles turned out to be a tight loss.
It was a competitive game down the wire, but in the end, the Celtics found just enough separation to put the 76ers away.
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each contributed 25 points.
On the Sixers’ side, Tyrese Maxey led the way with 31 points on 12-31 shooting. He went 5-13 from beyond the arc. The All-Star Paul George scored 18 points on 7-14 shooting, while Andre Drummond produced 12 points off the bench for the Sixers.
With a 108-100 loss, the 76ers dropped to 1-2 in the series.
The 76ers and the Celtics will be back on the court on Sunday for a 7 PM ET tip.