Joe Mazzulla has no problem with Celtics shot selection vs. 76ers

At TD Garden on Saturday night, the Boston Celtics saw their season end with a 109-100 Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, who erased a 3-1 deficit in the first-round playoff series to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Tyrese Maxey produced 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. VJ Edgecombe added 23 points, and Paul George scored 13.

Meanwhile, Boston was led by Jaylen Brown’s 33 points and nine rebounds, supported by Derrick White’s 26 points, including five shots from deep, and Neemias Queta’s 17 points and 12 rebounds.

The Celtics finished 13-of-49 (26.5%) from three-point range, marking the third consecutive game below 30% from deep. Across their four losses in the series, they shot 49-of-179 (27.4%) from three. Boston also attempted 49 or more threes in three games in the series, finishing 1-2 in those contests.

Amid the Celtics’ suboptimal offensive efficiency, head coach Joe Mazzulla stood by their shot selection and in-game choices.

“Love the looks that we got, love the process that we had, but hate the result,” said Mazzulla.

Teams have attempted 49+ threes in a playoff game 37 times in NBA history.

3 of those times were the Celtics in this series. They were 1-2 in those games.

Joe Mazzulla: "I love the looks that we got. I love the process that we had. Hate the result."pic.twitter.com/aYDYGYKofj

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 3, 2026

Boston played without Jayson Tatum, who was ruled out about 90 minutes before tipoff due to left knee stiffness after previously leaving Game 6 momentarily for treatment to his left calf. With Tatum unavailable, the Celtics altered their starting lineup, inserting Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza, and Ron Harper Jr. alongside Brown and White in a combination that had not played together this season.

The 76ers controlled much of the game, leading for all but 31 seconds. Boston trailed by 18 points in the third quarter but closed the gap, cutting the deficit to one point with under two minutes remaining before Philadelphia took control.

The Celtics opened the fourth quarter with a 16-4 run after entering the period down 92-78 and later reached 92-91, but the Sixers responded late behind Maxey’s finishing and Embiid’s scoring.

Boston adjusted on the defensive end across the series, rotating lineups and schemes, but the 76ers’ offense, anchored by Embiid and Maxey, ultimately prevailed.

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