Joel Embiid expresses disappointment after Game 3 loss to Celtics

“We Haven’t Been Good Enough,” says Joel Embiid after the Sixers’ Game 3 loss to the Celtics.

Joel Embiid, who had 30 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks in Game 3, said that the Sixers understood they’d have to play practically flawlessly against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, when the Celtics seized a 2-1 series lead, Embiid and the rest of the squad didn’t perform to their expectations.

Embiid believes that each player must show up and carry out their job. “Everyone knows their role, and they have to do their job,” he continued.

Throughout the series, the Sixers displayed inconsistency. They showcased their potential in Game 1 but needed help to live up to it in Game 2. They showed signs of potential in Game 3, but not enough to seal a win.

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Inconsistency plagues Sixers in Eastern Conference playoffs

Despite adding players throughout the offseason and at the trade deadline, the Sixers need clarification on which version of their club will show up in crunch time. This was clear during their 114-102 loss against the Celtics, which drew boos from the sold-out crowd.

The Sixers have a pattern of losing second-round games after leading 2-1, as seen by losses to the Atlanta Hawks in 2021 and the Toronto Raptors in 2019. To prevent a similar outcome, they must outperform Game 3, and it all starts with James Harden.

Despite a fourth-quarter surge, the Sixers were defeated 114-102 in Game 3. They were still looking for a scoring option other than Joel Embiid, who led the team with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks. Tobias Harris and James Harden were called for fouls, forcing the bench to step up. De’Anthony Melton scored 14 points, but the club needed the edge with Harden and Harris.

The Celtics, on the other hand, had other possibilities. Despite the Sixers’ defense containing Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the second half, Al Horford scored 17 points. Tatum led the Celtics in scoring with 27, while Brown added 23.

The Sixers tried 31 of 78 field goals, including 16-of-37 from three. This was a tremendous improvement from Game 2 when they only made 6-of-30 attempts from beyond the arc.

With the Celtics leading the series 2-1, the Sixers must refocus and perform better in Game 4, which takes place on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center.