Brown’s 32 points lift Celtics over 76ers 109-108 in nail-biting NBA Cup showdown

Brown’s 32 points lift Celtics over 76ers 109-108 in nail-biting NBA Cup showdown

With 4.2 seconds left and the crowd on its feet, Jaylen Brown stood motionless at the free-throw line, watching as Joel Embiid launched a desperation three from the corner—long, wobbling, and ultimately wide. The buzzer sounded. The Boston Celtics had done it again: a 109-108 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. This wasn’t just another regular-season game. It was the Emirates NBA Cup group stage, a high-stakes tournament within the season, and the 76ers entered 4-0. The Celtics? 0-3. Now, they’re 3-3. And suddenly, everything feels different.

A Comeback That Almost Was

The Celtics didn’t just win—they dominated early. By halftime, they led by 20, turning Philadelphia’s defense into a sieve. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White were surgical from the perimeter, each dropping 15 points. But the real story was Brown. Thirty-two points. Five threes. Six rebounds. He didn’t just carry the offense—he held it together when the 76ers clawed back.

Philadelphia’s comeback was vintage. Tyrese Maxey, the electric 23-year-old guard, scored 26 points, including a driving layup with 6:30 left in the third that tied the game at 72. He didn’t stop there. With 20.8 seconds left, he sliced through the defense again, pulling the 76ers within one. The arena erupted. For a moment, it felt like déjà vu—the 76ers had pulled off a similar miracle just three days earlier, overcoming a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit against Washington. This time, though, the script didn’t finish the same way.

Embiid’s Limited Minutes, Massive Impact

Joel Embiid played just 25 minutes and 4 seconds, a strict cap after offseason knee surgery. Yet he still managed 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His presence alone changed the game. When he was on the floor, the Celtics’ interior offense stalled. When he sat, Boston carved up the paint. It was a chess match: Boston’s coaching staff knew they had to force Embiid into foul trouble; Philadelphia’s knew they had to protect him. The gamble? It almost paid off.

Then came the final sequence. After a Celtics turnover, Maxey had the ball with 4 seconds left. He went for the underhand scoop—a risky, almost nostalgic move—right under the basket. It bounced off the rim. No foul. No second chance. The crowd gasped. Then, Josh Minott missed both free throws. The 76ers had one last possession. Embiid, the MVP frontrunner, stepped out for a three. The shot had height, but no rhythm. It never had a chance.

A Rivalry Rekindled

This game was more than stats and comebacks. It’s the Celtics vs. 76ers—the oldest rivalry in the NBA, dating back to November 30, 1949. They’ve met in 12 NBA Finals. They’ve traded legends: Russell vs. Chamberlain, Bird vs. Barkley, Tatum vs. Embiid. And now, in a tournament few expected to matter, they delivered another classic.

Remember the season opener? October 22, 2025. 76ers won 117-116 on a last-second floater. The Celtics were devastated. Now, they’ve answered. And they did it without their starting point guard, Malcolm Brogdon, who’s still recovering from a hamstring strain. That’s the twist: Boston’s depth is proving more resilient than anyone thought. VJ Edgecombe, the rookie who dropped 34 in his debut against Boston, scored 17 here—still impressive, but not enough.

What This Means for the NBA Cup

The Emirates NBA Cup was supposed to be a flashy addition to the regular season—a way to generate early-season buzz. But games like this? They’re turning it into something real. The 76ers were one of four undefeated teams entering this game. Now, they’re 4-1. The Celtics? They’ve won three straight. That’s not a fluke. It’s a statement.

Betting lines had Philadelphia favored by 3.5 points. The over/under was 233.5. The final score? 109-108. Total points: 217. The game was tighter than the odds suggested. And that’s exactly why fans care. The NBA Cup isn’t just exhibition anymore. It’s a proving ground.

What’s Next?

The Celtics face the Toronto Raptors on November 4. The 76ers host the Orlando Magic two nights later. But the real story? The standings. With the Cup’s knockout round looming, every win matters. Boston’s path to the semifinals just got brighter. Philadelphia’s? Still possible—but now they’ve lost their aura of invincibility.

And for Jaylen Brown? He’s not just a scorer anymore. He’s the guy who steps up when the game’s on the line. The Celtics didn’t just win Friday night. They found their identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Jaylen Brown’s performance compare to his season averages?

Before this game, Brown was averaging 24.8 points per game this season. His 32-point outburst against the 76ers was his highest since last April and marked his first 30-point game of the 2025-26 season. He also shot 11-of-21 from the field and 5-of-9 from three, showing improved efficiency after struggling in the team’s first three losses.

Why was Joel Embiid’s playing time limited?

Embiid’s minutes were capped at around 20-25 per game as part of a cautious return plan following arthroscopic knee surgery in August 2025. The 76ers’ medical staff is prioritizing long-term health over short-term wins, especially with the playoffs in mind. He’s averaging 28.7 points per game this season despite the restriction—proof he’s still elite.

What’s the significance of the Emirates NBA Cup for playoff seeding?

The NBA Cup doesn’t directly affect playoff seeding, but winning group-stage games improves team momentum and provides valuable matchup data. The top eight teams in the Cup standings earn a playoff berth in the tournament’s knockout rounds, and strong performances can influence coaching decisions and rotation depth heading into the regular season’s final stretch.

How did the Celtics overcome their 0-3 start?

After losing their first three games by an average of 12.3 points, Boston shifted to a faster pace, emphasizing ball movement and perimeter shooting. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White emerged as key playmakers, while Brown took on a leadership role. The defense tightened, and bench players like Josh Minott contributed more consistently—turning a shaky start into a three-game winning streak.

Was this game televised, and how did viewership compare to previous games?

The game streamed exclusively on Prime Video as part of the NBA’s national package. Early reports showed a 42% increase in viewership compared to the Celtics’ previous game, with over 1.8 million unique streams. The matchup’s historic rivalry and late-game drama drove engagement, making it the most-watched NBA Cup game of the season so far.

What’s the history behind the Celtics-76ers rivalry?

The rivalry began in 1949 and includes 12 NBA Finals meetings, the most between any two teams in league history. Iconic moments include Bill Russell’s dominance in the 1960s, Larry Bird’s battles with Julius Erving, and the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. This game added another chapter: a comeback that nearly tied it, and a buzzer-beater that didn’t fall.