Despite Joel Embiid’s Return, 76ers Struggle In 32-Point Game 4 Loss

BusinessSportsMoneyDespite Joel Embiid’s Return, 76ers Struggle In 32-Point Game 4 LossByTim Casey,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tim Casey is a reporter who covers basketball and sports business.Follow AuthorApr 27, 2026, 12:06am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Boston Celtics' Neemias Queta (88) goes up for a dunk past Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedAt 6:13 Sunday night, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid walked on the Xfinity Mobile Arena court, stopped by the scorer’s table to put rosin blend powder on his hands, performed the sign of the cross and raised both pointer fingers to the sky. Embiid, who hadn’t played since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on April 9, then went through an 11-minute workout. Five minutes later, the 76ers upgraded Embiid from questionable to available. Despite Embiid’s return, the 76ers were no match for the Boston Celtics, losing 128-96 on their home floor to fall behind three games to one in the Eastern Conference first round series. It was the second-worst home loss in 76ers’ playoff history, only trailing a 36-point defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks in 1970.Embiid led the 76ers with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in just over 34 minutes, but he struggled on defense, as did his teammates. The Celtics shot 24 of 53 on 3-pointers, setting a franchise-record for most 3’s in a playoff game and falling one shy of the NBA record held by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and Milwaukee Bucks in 2023. Ten Boston players had at least one 3 on Sunday. Boston scored 72 points in the second half on 22 of 40 field goals, including 13 of 25 on 3’s, and 15 of 17 free throws. The Ce...