Joel Embiid hits push-ups mid-game as Sixers fans go wild

Story by

Tomer Azarly, ClutchPoints

Fri, May 1, 2026 ·

2 min read

Joel Embiid hits push-ups mid-game as Sixers fans go wild appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers took care of business on Thursday night, defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 6. The victory means both teams will not play a decisive Game 7 in Boston on Saturday.

In just his third game back from an appendectomy, Embiid dominated once again en route to the Sixers third victory in the series. He had so much energy, however, that he even had time to hit some push-ups in the middle of the game.

With about 5:24 remaining in the fourth quarter and the 76ers already leading the Celtics 94-78, Kelly Oubre Jr. ’s drive to the basket was disrupted by a fouling Luka Garza . The Celtics backup big man, however, went tumbling after the foul and nearly ran into Embiid’s knees. An alert Joel Embiid quickly jumped over Garza and landed in push-up position, where he stayed down and did four push-ups to the delight of the 76ers crowd before getting up.

In the Sixers 106-93 victory, Embiid totaled 19 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in 34 minutes of play. His timely buckets and passes, including a behind-the-back assist to Kelly Oubre Jr. for a dunk, felt like backbreakers for the Celtics.

Tyrese Maxey led the way for the Sixers with 30 points and five assists while Paul George added 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

The Celtics struggled mightily with Jaylen Brown totaling just 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting and Jayson Tatum added 17 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes of play.

Tatum did not play in the fourth quarter after dealing with some discomfort in his left calf. He exited the game late in the third quarter and had an ice pack wrapped around his calf at the start of the fourth quarter.

Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers is scheduled for Saturday, with the time still to be determined.