The Boston Celtics couldn't complete the comeback at home, falling 118-114 to the rival Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas

The Celtics have been mortal in December, losing five of 11 games with a defense that plays hard when it feels like it.

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers happily played the "Grinch" role at TD Garden on Christmas Day. Amid plenty of boos from the Boston crowd,

It was a Christmas dream come true for one young basketball fan, thanks to the Boston Celtics and Make-A-Wish.

The Sixers' two top stars combined for 60 points and showed up in major moments, including Maxey's late layup and Embiid's clutch free throws.

But Maxey zipped past Pritchard and found a clear lane to the basket, where he put in an off-balance layup just before time expired. The play all but finished off the Celtics in this 118-114 loss, and it was an example of the uncharacteristic missteps that doomed them.

Joel Embiid popped up from a pregame fall and scored 27 points with nine rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-114 victory over the Boston Celtics.

BOSTON — With 1.1 seconds on the shot clock late in the fourth quarter Wednesday, the Boston Celtics had the benefit of time on their side as the Philadelphia 76ers set up to run a sideline out-of-bounds play. Barring a breakdown, Boston should have had ...

That is, except for their own fans, who are over the moon with the hot start to the NBA's 2024-25 regular season.

How did Joe Mazzulla become the head coach of the Boston Celtics, given how much of a maniac he is the sidelines? If anything, if we are being honest, it is that maniacal aspect that has turned the West Virginia alum into one of the best assets on the bench in the NBA today.

Wembanyama scored 42 points to come close to breaking the Christmas Day debut scoring record of 45 set by a rookie Wilt Chamberlain in 1959, but the Knicks persevered down the stretch to win 117-114 on Wednesday.