Joel Embiid is convinced there is something different about this year's Philadelphia 76ers team, after propelling them into the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Philadelphia became only the 14th team to fight back from 3-1 down to win an NBA Playoff series on Saturday, as their 109-100 victory in Game 7 eliminated the Boston Celtics.

Embiid had 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, and he had excellent support from Tyrese Maxey, with 30 points, and V.J. Edgecombe, who tacked on 23.

It was only the franchise's second win on the road in Game 7s, with the other also coming in Boston, albeit way back in 1982. 

Embiid, meanwhile, became the first player in NBA history to score at least 100 points in a playoff series after missing the first three games, having recovered from an appendectomy. 

The 2023 MVP has never gone as far as the Eastern Conference finals, and the New York Knicks now stand between the Sixers and that stage. 

"We have a lot that we want to accomplish," Embiid told The Athletic. "We have a lot of work to do. 

"No shade to the guys that have played here, but this is different. The fight is just there. I've been a part of some of these teams, and this team is different.

"It feels good to win. Obviously, we've got a bigger goal in mind. But finally beating these guys feels pretty good."

Joel Embiid of the @sixers is the first player in NBA history to score 100+ points in a playoff series despite missing the first 3 games. pic.twitter.com/iuMXvrOFqy

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 3, 2026

Maxey echoed those sentiments, adding: "We've had this weird swag about us all year. 

"We've had this confidence that we know who we can be. And we know who we are. We have never wavered. 

"This group has always believed in each other. This group really likes each other, and we want to see each other succeed."

For the Celtics, it was a disappointing end to a highly encouraging season, and they were left to rue the absence of Jayson Tatum, after he was ruled out only 90 minutes before tip-off due to a left knee injury.

But Jaylen Brown, who led Boston with 33 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks, said there were no regrets over the team's earliest playoff exit since 2020-21.

"No feelings of regret whatsoever," said Brown. "Obviously, we would have liked to close it out, but Philadelphia is a good team, and they've got better since the regular season.

"It's the playoffs. We knew it was going to be a fight, and we didn't expect anything less. Nothing to hang our heads over. Got no regrets."

The Sixers will go to Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of their semifinal series on Monday, with Game 2 taking place at the same venue two days later.