Kelly Oubre Leads 76ers to Thrilling Win Over Celtics

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored a decisive basket with just 8.7 seconds left, lifting the Philadelphia 76ers to a dramatic 102-100 win over the visiting Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. His game-winning shot came off an offensive rebound after teammate Justin Edwards missed his only shot of the night. The bucket brought the home crowd at Wells Fargo Center to its feet, securing an emotional victory for Philadelphia against one of their biggest Eastern Conference rivals.

Rookie forward Justin Edwards was one of the brightest stars for the 76ers, scoring a season-high 22 points while shooting an impressive 8-of-9 from the field. Although his final attempt rimmed out, it set up Oubre’s game-winning rebound and putback. Edwards’ sharp shooting and clutch performance helped the Sixers overcome an eight-point deficit late in the game. His quick scoring burst from beyond the arc proved to be a turning point in the contest.

Tyrese Maxey continued his strong form, contributing 21 points and nine assists to the 76ers’ winning effort. Despite struggling with his shooting (5-for-17), Maxey’s energy and leadership were vital throughout the game. Quentin Grimes also played an important role off the bench, adding 18 points, including a crucial half-court shot at the end of the third quarter that kept Philadelphia close on the scoreboard.

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 24 points, while Derrick White added 18 points and seven assists. Anfernee Simons also made valuable contributions with 17 points. However, White’s shooting troubles (7-for-20 from the field) hurt Boston’s offensive rhythm, especially in the closing minutes. Despite rallying late to tie the game, the Celtics couldn’t find a final basket to regain the lead.

Philadelphia trailed by eight points with just six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But Edwards led a furious comeback, hitting three 3-pointers in less than 90 seconds to push the 76ers ahead 93-92. That sequence completely changed the momentum of the game. A long 3-pointer from VJ Edgecombe later gave the Sixers a 100-96 advantage, but Boston fought back with a 3-pointer from White and a free throw from Brown to level the score at 100 with just 33 seconds to go.

After Edwards missed a mid-range shot on the next possession, Oubre grabbed the rebound and made the crucial putback to give Philadelphia a 102-100 lead. Boston had one last chance to win or tie the game, but Andre Drummond made a key defensive play by knocking the ball away from White. White’s desperate half-court shot missed the rim entirely, and Neemias Queta’s rushed tip-in also failed as the buzzer sounded. Drummond finished the game with 14 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring the Sixers’ defense in the paint.

The first half saw both teams exchange the lead several times before the 76ers took control. Philadelphia held a narrow 23-22 lead after the first quarter. In the second period, the Sixers’ defense dominated, holding Boston to just 28% shooting. The Celtics scored only 19 points in the quarter, with Jaylen Brown’s five points being the only notable offensive contribution from their starters. Philadelphia capitalized, going into halftime ahead 51-41.

Boston returned from the locker room with more intensity and quickly launched an 11-0 run to regain control. Derrick White’s late scoring spree in the third quarter pushed the Celtics ahead, and his 3-pointer with a few seconds remaining seemed to seal the period for Boston. However, Quentin Grimes stunned everyone by sinking a half-court buzzer-beater that cut the deficit to 77-71, keeping the Sixers within striking distance heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was full of excitement and tension as both teams traded baskets. Anfernee Simons hit back-to-back 3-pointers early in the quarter to give Boston an 85-77 lead, but Philadelphia refused to back down. Led by Edwards, Oubre, and Maxey, the 76ers battled their way back, eventually seizing the lead in the final minutes and setting up Oubre’s dramatic game-winning moment.

The victory improved Philadelphia’s confidence as they continue to build momentum early in the season. For Oubre, it was a redemption moment, as he proved his value in clutch situations. For Boston, the narrow loss will sting, but the Celtics showed resilience throughout the contest. Fans were treated to a thrilling, fast-paced game filled with momentum shifts and clutch performances — a true showcase of Eastern Conference basketball at its finest.