The Philadelphia 76ers will enter Game 5 trailing 3-1 against the powerhouse Boston Celtics. It's unfortunately familiar territory for Philadelphia to find itself in, but a drastic change was made during their Game 4 loss that suggests the series hasn't been decided just yet.
With Quentin Grimes finally putting together a strong playoff game and Joel Embiid back in the rotation, the 76ers can realistically pull off a Game 5 upset and keep their season alive.
Grimes was nothing short of woeful through the first three games of a somewhat lopsided series. He tallied seven points, four rebounds, and two assists on 3-of-6 shooting during a blowout loss in Game 1, and proceeded to shoot 2-of-7 between Game 2 and Game 3.
Philadelphia won Game 2 111-97 and lost Game 3 by just eight points, with Grimes attempting just one shot in 15 minutes during the latter encounter.
Unfortunately, a 128-96 loss in Game 4 eradicated much of the optimism that had grown within the 76ers' fandom. Grimes offered a clear reason for renewed hope, however, when he finally turned things around during the same outing that Embiid made his 2026 postseason debut.
With a healthy rotation and Grimes playing like himself again, the 76ers could realistically claim a second road win over the Celtics and turn this into a far more competitive series.
Quentin Grimes has righted the ship and the 76ers are finally healthy
Grimes finished Game 4 with 12 points, six assists, two rebounds, one block, and a steal. He shot 5-of-7 from the field, and although he continued to operate in a fairly low-volume capacity as a scorer, he was far more involved on offense and turned in an efficient scoring performance.
Grimes also provided a welcome reminder of how valuable he can be when given a chance to create for his teammates as a quality playmaker who has averaged 5.4 assists per 36 minutes over the past two seasons.
When Game 5 rolls around, an efficient and effective Grimes could prove to be a difference maker. The Celtics blitzed the 76ers in Game 4, with sixth man Payton Pritchard playing a significant role in their early surge and the manner in which they pulled away.
If Grimes can match Pritchard's production and general quality of play, then the 76ers' full-strength starting lineup may have enough help to extend the series.
With Embiid, George, and Maxey, the 76ers are equipped with their three best players—a rare occurrence over the past two years. They should also get a better game out of VJ Edgecombe than the 2-of-9 performance he managed in Game 4. If the stars align, a fully healthy Philadelphia should at least be competitive.
With Grimes looking like himself, there may just be enough for the beginning of a miracle to take hold as the 76ers attempt to push their rival to the limit.
Add us as a preferred source on Google