Celtics affected by Joel Embiid’s absence which led to G1 loss, says Al Horford

Even before the series started, the Boston Celtics already felt that belief by the majority that they have the massive advantage over the Philadelphia 76ers given the sketchy knee injury of Joel Embiid.

But in Game 1 on Monday, they were left stunned and trembled as James Harden casted his old MVP identity, exploding for 45 points including a game-winner trey to scratch a 119-115 76ers win in the opener of their Eastern Conference Semifinals.

In the mind of Al Horford, Embiid’s eventual absence ultimately made a huge impact on their team identity approaching the series set.

“We didn’t do as good a job defensively as we could,” Horford said, per MassLive’s Souichi Terada. “I really believe that it happened to us last year when one of their main players was missing, and Embiid being out tonight. As much as you don’t want to say it wasn’t a factor, I think it was. We have to be better. We have to understand that we have to be able to play with whatever happens, whatever variables.”

Malcolm Brogdon also shared the same sentiments with Horford, noting that almost all of the Sixers’ significant units managed to click and step up their game to cover the superstar big man’s production. 

Tyrese Maxey carved 26 points and four steals, while Tobias Harris got 18 markers and five boards. Off the bench, De’Anthony Melton provided that needed spark plug with 17 points in 6-of-10 shooting.

“In a lot of ways, when Embiid doesn’t play, everybody else is empowered,” Brogdon said, who had 20 points and three assists in 34 minutes as a reserve. “Everybody else has the green light and guys are gonna step up, and I thought that’s what happened tonight. 

“I think we expected that, guys to step up, but we still struggled with it. We just gotta be prepared.”

The Celtics will look to respond against the 76ers with Game 2 scheduled on Wednesday.