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Joel Embiid reacts during a playoff game for the Philadelphia 76ers after delivering a strong Game 5 performance ahead of Game 6 against the Boston Celtics.

The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing to do battle against the Boston Celtics in tonight’s critical Game 6. 

Either the Sixers live to fight another day or force a spicy Game 7 back in TD Garden.

Boy, would that create some awesome playoff theater or what?

The Sixers were dominant in Game 5 in Boston. Check that. Joel Embiid was dominant in Game 5. So much so that his unabated interior scoring forced Celtics fans to ditch their seats and head for the exits early. 

No one could’ve anticipated a Sixers win, let alone by 16 darn points. Philadelphia is suddenly showing some grit, a playoff backbone after two straight home losses that felt crushing for its season.

Yet the team responded in Game 5 — in enemy territory with virtually no one outside of the City of Brotherly Love giving it a chance to win. 

It’s safe to say the Sixers are utterly locked in for Game 6 at home considering a late change they made leading up to Thursday’s battle.

Philadelphia 76ers Share Unexpected Update Before Tip Off

Think all the pressure has been heaped onto Boston’s shoulders? Think again.

Apparently the Sixers are feeling just as much pressure. After all, they must live up to their home crowd’s expectations. Winning two games on the road and zero at home would be a rather interesting way to see the season end. 

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 26: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts with VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers after a dunk during the second quarter against the Miami Heat at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

Ahead of tonight’s big game, the Sixers announced they are going away from the nostalgia-evoking black throwback uniforms. This news comes after the team originally announced it would wear these uniforms for every home playoff game.

Wrote DeAntae Prince of the Philadelphia Inquirer: “In their latest shot to stave off elimination, the Sixers have decided to change their jerseys and court for Game 6 at home. They’ll rock the white look that accompanied wins in Games 2 and 5 in hopes of channeling yet another improbable win, which would lead to Game 7 in Boston.” 

Superstitious Much?

The retro black jerseys re-emerged in recent years to honor the Allen Iverson-led 2000-01 76ers team that made the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Fans seemingly clamored for these uniforms to return the day they were discontinued. But it appears the black throwbacks have brought along some not-so-good luck.

Philadelphia wore the uniforms in Games 3 and 4 — both blowout losses. 

In their two wins this series, the Sixers wore white uniforms, which are commonly worn in regular season home games. 

Perhaps the Sixers feel the uniform change in tonight’s battle against the Celtics will do them a favor. 

But Philadelphia has also struggled mightily in playoff home games over the last seven years. In fact, it hasn’t won a single game at Xfinity Mobile Arena since the 2019 East semifinals against the Toronto Raptors. 

If the Sixers win tonight, it’ll mean a serious act of defiance against recent history. With the way Embiid played in Game 5, there is hope the former MVP can bring that same intensity to help push the series to a seventh game.

Tip off from Philadelphia is set for 8:00 p.m.