In the first round against the Boston Celtics, the 76ers erased a 3-1 series deficit for the first time in franchise history. They had been an NBA-record 0-18 all-time when trailing 3-1 in a series, while Boston entered the matchup a perfect 32-0 when holding a 3-1 series lead.
Beyond the history of the comeback itself, it also marked Philadelphia’s first playoff series win over Boston since 1982, snapping a six-series losing streak that included three defeats in the Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown era (2018, 2020, 2023).
That breakthrough, however, didn’t carry over to the next round. In round two, the momentum came to a hard stop. The 76ers were swept by the New York Knicks, who outscored them by 89 points across four games, marking the third-most lopsided non-first-round series in NBA history.
And despite the upset over Boston, Philadelphia’s overall postseason tells a much harsher story. The Sixers were outscored by 109 points across the playoffs, the worst mark of any team this year, and suffered four losses by 30+ points: two against Boston and two against New York.
So… does the Knicks series make Celtics fans feel better or worse about the Round 1 loss? Greg Hill posed the question on WEEI this morning.
Knicks sweep Sixers: Celtics fans, does this make you feel better or worse about the 1st round exit? Mego: "That wasn't even a competitive series." Wiggy: "I think the Celtics would have done better"
Do you agree with Wiggy? #NBA #Knicks #Sixers #Celtics #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/SVPtDpXPof
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) May 11, 2026
“It’s got to make you feel worse,” Meghan Ottolini said. “That wasn’t even a competitive series between the 76ers and the Knicks. And they took you to Game 7, and they owned the last three games.”
Philadelphia’s loss to New York marked just the third time the franchise has been swept in a best-of-seven series in its history. Something Jermaine Wiggins suggested wouldn’t have happened had it been the Celtics and Knicks meeting in the second round for the second straight year.
“It was an absolute ass-whooping by the Knicks. I think the Celtics would’ve done better,” Wiggins said. “I just think that the Celtics have more offensive talent. That wasn’t even competitive.”
Chris Curtis took it a step further, saying the way New York handled Philadelphia reflected poorly on Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.
“You know who that was an awful series for? Joe Mazzulla,” Curtis said. “The way the Knicks approached the 76ers and totally removed their biggest strengths – and you sit back and, obviously, the players are the reason the Celtics lose – but that was an indictment, I thought, on Mazzulla.”
You can hear the entire segment, including what the Celtics can do this offseason to get back into contention with teams like the Knicks, below.
