BOSTON — In the final minutes of a lopsided Game 1 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics fans turned the TD Garden into a chorus of mockery, chanting a phrase that has become a staple of the rivalry: “Mama, I made it.” The taunt, directed at Sixers star Joel Embiid, echoed through the arena as the Celtics pulled away to a 118-94 win, sealing a dominant start to their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The chant, which references a viral social media moment from Embiid’s past, has been used by Boston supporters for years to needle the Cameroonian center. But its resurgence in Game 1 carried added weight — not just because of the lopsided score, but because it came after a season of heightened tension between the two franchises, fueled by playoff history, trade rumors, and on-court altercations.
According to verified game footage and multiple arena audio recordings, the chant began midway through the fourth quarter, when Boston’s lead had swollen to over 20 points. Celtics players on the bench joined in, clapping along as the crowd swelled. The moment was captured on broadcast feeds and quickly spread across social platforms, with clips showing fans waving towels and pointing toward the Sixers’ bench.
The phrase traces back to a 2017 Instagram post by Embiid, in which he celebrated making the NBA by saying, “Mama, I made it.” Celtics fans repurposed it as a jab, implying that despite his success, Embiid still falls short in the playoffs — particularly against Boston. The taunt gained traction during the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals, when the Sixers pushed the Celtics to seven games before falling in Game 7.
This year’s rematch carries new stakes. Philadelphia entered the series as the No. 2 seed in the East, boasting a 54-28 record and a roster anchored by Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Boston, the No. 1 seed at 64-18, arrived with the league’s best defense and a core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, all of whom have evolved into elite two-way players.
In Game 1, Boston’s defense suffocated Philadelphia’s offense. The Sixers shot just 38.1% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range, even as committing 18 turnovers that led to 24 Celtics points. Tatum led Boston with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Brown added 24. Embiid, despite finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds, was held to 8-of-22 shooting and fouled out with over six minutes remaining.
“We knew they were going to come at us hard,” Tatum said in his postgame press conference. “But we stayed locked in. Every possession, every switch, every closeout — we executed our game plan. That’s what happens when you trust the process.”
The “process” line was a deliberate nod to Philadelphia’s former rebuilding slogan, now often used ironically by opponents. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla smiled when asked about the chant, saying, “Our fans realize how to bring energy. They’ve been waiting for this moment. It’s part of the rivalry.”
Philadelphia’s locker room was quieter after the game. Embiid, usually vocal in defeat, kept his answers brief. “We gotta be better,” he said. “Simple as that. They outworked us, outsmarted us. We’ll watch the film, fix what we broke, and come back ready.”
Maxey, who scored 18 points but shot 6-of-19, added, “They made us uncomfortable. Their length, their activity — it’s tough to get clean looks. We didn’t move the ball well enough, and we paid for it.”
The rivalry between Boston and Philadelphia is one of the NBA’s oldest, dating back to the 1950s when Bill Russell’s Celtics clashed with Wilt Chamberlain’s Warriors (then in Philadelphia) and later the 76ers. In the modern era, the teams have met in the playoffs six times since 2010, with Boston holding a 4-2 edge. Their most recent series came in 2022, when Boston won in seven games after overcoming a 3-2 deficit.
What makes this year’s matchup particularly volatile is the roster turnover on both sides. Boston retained its core while adding veteran depth in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis (acquired via trade). Philadelphia, meanwhile, fired coach Doc Rivers midseason and hired Nick Nurse, aiming to unlock more offensive versatility around Embiid and Maxey.
Nurse, a former Raptors coach who won a title in 2019, acknowledged the challenge. “Boston sets the tone defensively better than anyone in the league,” he said before the game. “They craft you earn every inch. We have to be smarter, more patient, and more physical if we want to win.”
The Celtics, for their part, entered the series as favorites — not just because of their record, but because of their postseason poise. Boston has won 11 of its last 12 playoff games at home, dating back to the 2022 Eastern Conference finals. Their ability to close out games, combined with their switching defense and elite three-point shooting (38.1% as a team in the playoffs), makes them a formidable opponent.
Statistically, Boston’s defense held Philadelphia to its lowest offensive rating of the season in Game 1: 98.7 points per 100 possessions. The Sixers averaged 115.2 offensively during the regular season — a drop of over 16 points per 100 possessions in this game. Conversely, Boston’s offense rated 124.3, well above their season average of 113.5.
Turnovers were a critical factor. Philadelphia’s 18 giveaways were their most in a playoff game since 2021. Boston forced those mistakes through relentless ball pressure, with Holiday and White combining for 8 steals. The Celtics turned those into 24 fast-break points — nearly a quarter of their total output.
Looking ahead, Game 2 is scheduled for Friday, May 3, at 8:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden. The series then shifts to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4 on May 5 and May 7, respectively. If necessary, Games 5, 6, and 7 would return to Boston on May 10, May 12, and May 14.
Injury updates remain minimal. Boston listed Porziņģis as questionable heading into Game 1 due to a left ankle sprain, but he played 28 minutes and finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Philadelphia reported no changes to its injury roster; Embiid and Maxey were both cleared to play after dealing with minor ailments earlier in the week.
The atmosphere in Boston suggests the fans are fully invested. TD Garden has been near capacity for every home playoff game this season, and the energy in Game 1 was palpable from tip-off. Celtics ownership has emphasized creating a hostile environment for opponents, and the “Mama, I made it” chant — while playful in tone — serves as a reminder that Boston’s fan base takes pride in making life difficult for visiting stars.
For Embiid, the moment was familiar but frustrating. He has faced similar chants in Boston dating back to his rookie season. Yet despite the noise, he has averaged 24.3 points and 10.8 rebounds in his career against the Celtics — numbers that suggest he can perform even under duress.
Whether he can do so in this series remains to be seen. But if Game 1 is any indication, Boston has arrived with a clear message: they intend to make life miserable for Philadelphia — one possession, one stop, and one chant at a time.
The next checkpoint is Game 2 on Friday night. A win there would put Boston up 2-0 and put immense pressure on the Sixers to win at home just to stay alive. For now, the Celtics savor the moment — and let their fans have the last laugh.
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