Sixers gave themselves reasons to believe in Game 2 win over Celtics

Everyone saw the score: Sixers 111, Celtics 97 in Game 2 in Boston on Tuesday. But that’s not the whole story.

What the Sixers did in Game 2 wasn’t just about evening the series. It was about changing the tone after getting embarrassed in Game 1.

And they did it with confidence.

Start with VJ Edgecombe. Thirty points, 10 rebounds, fearless from the jump. The rookie didn’t just respond; he looked like he belonged on that stage. That matters, especially in this matchup.

Then there’s Tyrese Maxey. Twenty-nine points, nine assists, and a steady hand when Boston started creeping back in. He didn’t force it. He didn’t panic. He just kept making the next play.

This is where the shift happened.

Game 1 felt like Boston dictating everything. Game 2 flipped that. The Sixers stayed aggressive, stuck with their approach and, maybe most important, didn’t let the Celtics’ runs rattle them.

Yes, Boston still had its moments. Jaylen Brown got his numbers. Jayson Tatum filled up the stat sheet. But the usual avalanche never came. The Sixers kept answering.

Once again, they did it without Joel Embiid, too. That’s the bigger takeaway here.

Philadelphia didn’t just survive without its best player. It controlled long stretches against one of the league’s most dangerous teams. That says something about the roster, the confidence, and maybe the ceiling.

The series is tied. Everyone knows that.

The question now is different. What version of the Sixers just showed up? And will they be back? If so, this may be a whole lot more interesting than we thought two nights ago.