NBA Cup Recap: Celtics Edge 76ers in Thrilling Finish
The first eight NBA Cup games have concluded, with eight teams advancing to the next round. The most excitement came from the matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Celtics Hold On After Blowing Big Lead
The Celtics defeated the 76ers 109–108 despite nearly squandering a 24-point advantage. Boston started strong, opening a double-digit lead following a 16–3 run in the first quarter. Their dominance continued into early second quarter, building a 24-point cushion.
The 76ers fought back with a 15–2 run, trimming the deficit to 11 by halftime. Philadelphia came within two points in the third quarter, but Boston responded with another scoring run to restore a 12-point lead.
In the final minutes, the Celtics led by 10 with three minutes left, but a late 76ers surge cut the lead to 109–108 with 21 seconds remaining. The comeback attempt fell short, securing the narrow victory for Boston.
Key Players
- Jaylen Brown led Boston with 32 points and 6 assists.
- Tyrese Maxey nearly had a triple-double for Philadelphia, finishing with 26 points, 14 assists, and 8 rebounds.
Nuggets Suffer Unexpected Loss
The Denver Nuggets also faced an upset, losing a close game to the Portland Trail Blazers. Denver held a five-point lead with one minute left but could not maintain it until the end.
"The entire game was close, and Denver took a five-point lead with one minute remaining."
This result was surprising given Denver’s strong position late in the game.
Author’s Summary
The NBA Cup’s opening stage delivered intense finishes, highlighted by the Celtics’ resilience and the Nuggets’ unexpected late collapse.