Yardbarker
x
Embiid his own worst critic after 76ers' win over Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid reacts against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid is his own worst critic after 76ers' shaky Game 4 win over Celtics

The Philadelphia 76ers survived a furious Boston Celtics comeback attempt, winning Game 4 Sunday, 116-115, to even the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series at two games apiece. 

After the Sixers' shaky win, league MVP Joel Embiid admitted that the team didn't play their best but aimed most of the criticism at himself.  

"We didn't play our best, and I was terrible tonight," Embiid said via John Clark of NBC Philadelphia. "I gotta be better, and I will be better."

In only his third game back since suffering a sprained knee, Embiid acknowledged that the tough 34 minutes he played "got to" him during the final moments of Game 4. 

Despite posting a double-double, recording 34 points and 13 rebounds, Embiid was a non-factor at times, and late in the game, Celtics' veteran Al Horford all but locked down the MVP, holding him to only two points in the fourth quarter. 

During the most crucial moments of Game 4, Embiid wasn't the one to bail the Sixers out. Instead, James Harden took the reigns, forcing overtime before training the game-winner in the extra session. 

The Sixers led by as many as 16 points on Sunday, but late in the fourth, the Celtics roared back and found themselves ahead by two 107-105, with 51.1 ticks remaining. 

With the game and perhaps the season on the line, Harden drained a 12-foot floater with 16.1 seconds left to force OT. 

Late in the extra session, the Sixers again trailed the Celtics by a basket with 38 seconds left on the clock, setting the stage for another big moment from Harden. 

Left alone in the corner while defenders converged on Embiid in front of the basket, the Sixers' big man found Harden, who nailed the game-winning three with 18.2 seconds. 

The Celtics opted not to call a timeout, leading to a chaotic final possession in which Boston failed to get a shot attempt off. 

Harden finished with a game-high 42 points, adding eight rebounds and nine assists in what was a must-win for Philadelphia. 

Now knotted up at 2-2, the series moves to Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.