Joel Embiid Enjoyed Hawks’ Game 5 Win vs. Celtics

The Philadelphia 76ers remain unsure of who they will play in the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Going into the Tuesday night Game 5 matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks, many assumed the Sixers’ second-round battle could be set as the Celtics were in a prime position to win.

But Trae Young and the Hawks had other plans.

Multiple Sixers were tuned into the action on Tuesday night, including the All-Star center Joel Embiid and the young standout guard Tyrese Maxey.

As the Sixers wanted to get a good look at who their next potential opponent could be, it was no surprise that players were watching the Game 5 battle. And in Embiid's case, he was responding to the action on social media as well.

This is some good hoops!!!#IceTrae
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) April 26, 2023

Boston held a 13-point lead over the Hawks at one point on Tuesday night. Going into the fourth quarter, the Celtics were up by ten on an undermanned Hawks team.

Atlanta star Trae Young wasn’t going down easy, though. Chucking up ten shots in the final 12 minutes, Young hit on four of his attempts, with three of them coming from beyond the arc. The clutch three he hit during the final seconds of the game was the dagger that silenced the TD Garden crowd.

After a 16-point showing in the fourth quarter, Young helped the Hawks stun the Celtics. With a 119-117 victory, the Hawks stole Game 5 and forced a Game 6, which will take place in Atlanta. Not only do the Hawks have the home-court advantage for that matchup, but they’ll get the veteran guard Dejounte Murray back in the mix after serving a one-game suspension.

On Thursday, the Sixers will have an opportunity to watch the Celtics and the Hawks battle it out once more. A win for Boston officially ends the series and creates a second-round battle between the Celtics and the Sixers. A win for the Hawks forces a Game 7, which would take place on Saturday.