76ers’ Nick Nurse speaks up on what got Joel Embiid going in must-win Game 5

The Philadelphia 76ers, after getting punked in their home court back on Sunday in a must-win Game 4, had to put up a huge response to avoid seeing their season come to an end at the hands of the Boston Celtics. What made this task even more difficult was that they had to save their season despite going on the road.

But thanks to a herculean performance from Joel Embiid, who scored 33 points on the night, the 76ers dominated the final quarter and took Game 5, 113-97, to cut their deficit in the series to 3-2.

Embiid returned from a two-week or so absence back in Game 4 and he had a solid game, putting up 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists despite their 128-96 defeat. But he was even better for the 76ers on Tuesday, and they needed every bit of his contributions to stave off elimination.

After the game, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse revealed that he felt as though getting a game like this from Embiid was only a matter of time, especially when he was starting to get in rhythm back in Game 4.

“It was a little similar to the other night that obviously he was getting some good looks, and a lot of them were just going in and out…I was sitting there thinking, he’s not far away here from finding some rhythm,” Nurse said, via Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire.

#Sixers coach Nick Nurse on what unlocked for Joel Embiid: “It was a little similar to the other night that obviously he was getting some good looks, and a lot of them were just going in and out…I was sitting there thinking, he's not far away here from finding some rhythm.” pic.twitter.com/1Dw8nZCwsO

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) April 29, 2026

Embiid turned it up in the second half to keep the 76ers in the game just when the Celtics were beginning to threaten to extend their lead to double digits. He scored 18 points in the final two quarters, and was an unstoppable force — taking Nikola Vucevic to school in the post over and over again while showing off his silky touch from midrange with one pull-up after another.

The 76ers star even looked to tweak something in his knee, but he ended up returning to the game and continuing his usual run of domination on the night.

Philly will need more of this from Embiid, especially in Game 6 on Thursday night.

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