Joel Embiid's return wasn't enough for 76ers in ugly Game 4 loss to Celtics

Joel Embiid made his 2026 playoff debut for the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, and it did not matter one bit in their ugly 128-96 loss to the Boston Celtics. The win gave Boston a commanding 3-1 series lead, pushing the 76ers to the brink of elimination. 

It was an ugly showing, and even with Embiid back in the lineup, the 76ers seem to be no match for a Celtics team that is starting to once again look like a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.

Joel Embiid not enough for 76ers against Celtics

Even though Embiid had been sidelined for more than two weeks, he didn't really show it on Sunday. He was mostly good and pretty close to what the 76ers normally see from him.

There were some missed shots and some occasional rust, but he was a physical presence, was not afraid of contact, attacked the rim and finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block. 

It was, by most objective measures, a strong game.

But the 76ers simply had nothing else around him and were just completely run out of the building by a deeper and better Boston team.

Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were outstanding again, combining for 50 points, including 30 points from Tatum. Boston's bench also flexed its muscles and showed how deep they can go, with Payton Pritchard finishing with a game-high 32 points. 

Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse also seemed to be out of answers, saying that no amount of X's and O's or strategy is going to make a difference if his team doesn't play with more toughness and intensity.