After dropping a heartbreaker in Game 4 in Philadelphia, the Celtics returned home to face the 76ers in Game 5 on Tuesday looking to regain control of the series in front of their home fans. Instead, they find themselves with their season on the brink.
The Sixers went into TD Garden and immediately took control of the game, leading by as many as 21 points en route to a 115–103 win. Boston never led beyond the game’s opening minutes, and put together a disheartening performance that has the team one game away from elimination.
The Celtics shot just 39.8% from the field while allowing Philadelphia to shoot 50.6%. The Sixers outrebounded Boston, 49–36, with Joel Embiid finishing with 33 points and Tyrese Maxey scoring 30. Jayson Tatum turned in a strong performance, with 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, though the rest of the team was mostly ineffective.
Unsurprisingly, NBA followers on Twitter had a lot to say about what they saw from the reigning Eastern Conference champions. Check out the most notable reactions below.
If I had one wish, it would be for me to be able to the hood version of Perk on ESPN because if I could say what I truly want to say about these Celtics I’d get fired on my day off!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 10, 2023
Joe Mazzulla is not ready for this stage. Losing Ime Udoka and Will Hardy may be something the Celtics never recover from.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 10, 2023
Joe Mazzulla entering the Celtics facility for year 2 as head coach.pic.twitter.com/1V8ddLdJsG
— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) May 10, 2023
Celtics fans clearing out 😬 pic.twitter.com/LLqLVFrLHC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2023
How the Sixers did the Celtics in game 5 pic.twitter.com/Olgn07rOnH
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 10, 2023
Celtics down 14 at home? pic.twitter.com/rGrpqtj7X1
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 10, 2023
Celtics the last two years pic.twitter.com/hTDPlICpqO
— Anthony Dabbundo (@AnthonyDabbundo) May 10, 2023
Celtics fans booing. 😳
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 10, 2023
pic.twitter.com/9aRVQHYi3a
Well, it's worth repeating:
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 10, 2023
The Celtics were in this same spot a year ago. They won on the road and then rolled in Game 7 at home.
But this doesn't feel the same at all. Feels like this group is past their expiration date as a collective.
"There was zero resistance." @EddieHouse_50 & @Scalabrine react to the Celtics brutal loss to the Sixers pic.twitter.com/rTeNxmUjBK
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 10, 2023
