The Boston Celtics opened their Eastern Conference semifinals series with a disappointing Game 1 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Playing without Joel Embiid, James Harden led Philadelphia to an upset with 45 points, including a game-winning three in the closing seconds. The 76ers also received 26 points from Tyrese Maxey and 18 from Tobias Harris.
During TNT’s post-game segment, Shaquille O’Neal criticized the Celtics for not taking care of business against a team missing its MVP candidate.
“This isn’t about Philly. This is about the lack of focus with Boston,” O’Neal said. “I said at halftime on (Monday’s) episode, when you mess around, this is what happens. There’s no way without Joel Embiid, you’re supposed to lose to this team, ever. Ever, ever, ever, ever. They were messing around. They let James get going.”
“It’s no way without Joel Embiid, you’re supposed to lose to this team. EVER.” @SHAQ reacts to Philly’s stunning Game 1 win in Boston pic.twitter.com/oejPNC1eqh
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 2, 2023
Despite shooting 58.7 percent from the floor and only missing one free throw, the Celtics fell short by surrendering 16 turnovers. They led by as many as 12 in the second quarter, but that edge quickly evaporated to three by halftime.
O’Neal said “anything can happen” during the fourth quarter when letting a team stay close.
“This is about Boston, lack of focus, and hopefully, this doesn’t bite them,” he said.
Embiid missed Game 1 with a sprained LCL, and his status for Wednesday remains up in the air. After the win, 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said the star center did “zero running” in Monday’s practice.