The 76ers had the advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals, holding a 3-2 lead over the Celtics through five games. But they failed to get the job done.
Jayson Tatum’s hot hand proved too much for Philadelphia’s defense to handle, as Boston’s superstar scored 51 points, breaking Stephen Curry’s record for the most points in a Game 7 in NBA history.
After losing the pivotal Game 6 and falling short in Game 7, the Sixers’ season ended in disappointment yet again. And Twitter was not too forgiving over their collapse against the Celtics on Sunday.
NBA fans pulled no punches when criticizing head coach Doc Rivers, star guard James Harden and MVP Joel Embiid, among others, in the aftermath of the Sixers’ playoff exit.
Cry me a Rivers.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 14, 2023
Doc Rivers has now blown 7 playoff series with a 3-1 or 3-2 lead. pic.twitter.com/F6drtQco0V
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 14, 2023
If I’m Doc Rivers I wouldn’t even give them a chance to fire me… I’ll just step down right after the game! A blind man can see this ain’t on him. His 2 Stars basically QUIT
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 14, 2023
Doc Rivers last 9 games to make it to the Conference Finals:
— َ (@FeelLikeDrew) May 12, 2023
2015 Game 5 — Loss
2015 Game 6 — Loss
2015 Game 7 — Loss
2017 Game 7 — Loss
2020 Game 5 — Loss
2020 Game 6 — Loss
2020 Game 7 — Loss
2021 Game 7 — Loss
2023 Game 6 — Loss pic.twitter.com/rD6VT9XHnk
Expecting a doc rivers, James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris lead team to come through in the playoffs is hilarious
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) May 14, 2023
anyway, i sure am glad i haven't spent almost 10 years defending the sixers. anyone know anyone who's done that? you've had to ride for hinkie. and simmons. and harden. embiid's getting kinda shaky. imagine putting in a decade for that. whew. couldn't be me.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) May 14, 2023
Harden and Embiid are SCARED!!! Ain’t no other way around it. They should be EMBARRASSED
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 14, 2023
Game 7 Harden pic.twitter.com/Mg5el3SVhS
— Overtime (@overtime) May 14, 2023
Harden and Embiid combined for 24 points, shooting 8-for-39 from the field as a tandem as the Sixers were outmatched, 112-88.