Sixers Suffer First Loss in NBA Cup Against Celtics

The Philadelphia 76ers suffered their first loss of the 2025 NBA season, falling narrowly to the Boston Celtics 109-108 in the NBA Cup. Despite a strong comeback effort, overcoming deficits as large as 24 points, the Sixers' 18 turnovers, including five by Tyrese Maxey, and defensive lapses on the perimeter allowed the Celtics to maintain control and capitalize on easy scoring opportunities. Maxey led Philadelphia with 26 points and 14 assists, while Joel Embiid contributed 20 points in limited minutes due to a knee surgery restriction. The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown's 32 points and solid contributions from Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, used aggressive perimeter shooting and effective defense to secure their third consecutive win after a rough start. The loss highlighted persistent issues for the Sixers, particularly in defensive consistency and execution during high-pressure moments, despite their demonstrated resilience and ability to rally late in games. Moving forward, Philadelphia aims to refine their defense and turnover management to maintain their early-season momentum and improve overall team cohesion.