There will be a lot of offseason takes about Joel Embiid’s Game 7 performance, but the 2023 NBA MVP showed class until the very end.
The Philadelphia 76ers bowed out of the NBA playoffs on Sunday after a brutal 112-88 defeat in Game 7 to the Boston Celtics. Embiid and James Harden, the Sixers’ two biggest stars, had tremendously poor games — combining for just 24 points in their last game of the season. At the other end of the court, Jayson Tatum dropped 51 points — the most in a Game 7, ever! — to lead the Celtics to victory.
Without a doubt, it’s a very a disappointing loss for the Sixers, who have once again failed to make it out of the second round five out of the last six years. Despite all this, Embiid still took the time to find Tatum and Jaylen Brown after the loss and share some words in an incredibly classy exchange.
Embiid showed love to Tatum, who dropped 51 in Game 7 👏 pic.twitter.com/adrSa4ggEU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 14, 2023
We all good now. Embiid giving an encouraging words to everyone from the Celtics team/staff whoever he shakes with, esp Tatum and Brown. pic.twitter.com/WHKfuC5OEv
— Baz ☘️ (@Baz_Majid) May 14, 2023
Good on Embiid for sticking around after the game to pass on his congratulations to his opponents. It’s never easy showing face after a disappointing loss, but Embiid took it in stride here and then some.
