A Boston Celtics legend is sending a warning to his former team after the Philadelphia 76ers took another game in the series on Tuesday night.
“The Celtics gotta be careful,” said former NBA guard Paul Pierce. “This version of Joel Embiid can cause major problems.”
For the first time in weeks, Joel Embiid took the court on Sunday for Game 4. Just a couple of weeks removed from getting surgery, Embiid hoped to help the Sixers tie the first-round series up 2-2. Instead, his presence was hardly a factor.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bulls at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The 76ers were dominated by double-digits for the second time in the series. Many believed that a gentleman’s sweep was on deck for Philadelphia. Throughout the first half of Game 5, the Sixers didn’t look like a team with a ton of urgency.
But then Joel Embiid put together a masterclass in the second half. Now, it’s a different series.
Paul Pierce Makes A Statement On Joel Embiid
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers pumps up the crowd during the first half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 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)
“He started off settling for the three because Boston was letting him shoot the three,” Pierce said on No Fouls Given.
“He was wide open on really all his threes, but when he got into the block, it just his gravitational pull and then if he’s knocking those mid-range moves he’s doing. And it’s like, at some point, you got to help then it opens up the shooters. They played four around one in the fourth quarter, and when the game was in the balance, Boston just couldn’t get a stop, and Philadelphia ran away with it. You can’t give a team like Philly confidence because when you give them confidence, they have a lead late in the game, they feed off of that.”
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers attempts a free throw against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
In the second half, Embiid avoided taking shots from three, where he missed every attempt in the first two quarters.
The star center produced 18 points, while putting up three assists and coming down with two rebounds.
The 76ers ended up shocking the hoops world as they defeated the Celtics 113-97.
Embiid finished the game with 33 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and one block.
The 76ers and the Celtics will meet on Thursday, April 30, for Game 6.