Sixers rally past Celtics, advance after historic comeback

The 76ers didn’t just survive. They flipped the whole thing on its head.

Down three games to one, staring at the usual questions, the usual noise, Joel Embiid and the Sixers responded the only way that matters — by winning. Again. And again. And finally, for good.

The result was a 109-100 Game 7 win over the Celtics on Saturday night, a series-closing punch that goes down as the 14th successful comeback from a 3-1 hole in NBA history. No Jayson Tatum for Boston. That mattered. But Philly still had to go take it. And it did.

Embiid looked like a guy who wasn’t letting this slip. He finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, controlling stretches in a way only he can. Tyrese Maxey was right there with him, finishing with 30 points, 11 boards, seven assists, energy everywhere. Rookie V.J. Edgecombe chipped in 23. Paul George added 13 and timely plays.

And just like that, the No. 7 seed is moving on. Next stop is the Knicks in the second round. Game 1 is Monday at Madison Square Garden. Good luck finding a hotter team right now.

History says this wasn’t supposed to happen. The franchise — going all the way back to the Syracuse Nationals days — is now 2-10 in road Game 7s.

The other win came in 1982, also in Boston. So yeah, this one lands a little differently.

For the Celtics, it’s going to sting. Jaylen Brown did what he could with 33 points and nine rebounds. Derrick White added 26 and knocked down five threes. Neemias Queta went for 17 and 12.

Didn’t matter. Not with Boston going 13-of-49 from deep. Not with Philly refusing to blink.

Sometimes it’s that simple. And that brutal.