Oubre’s Grit and Clutch Putback Seal Emotional Win Over Celtics

Oubre’s Grit and Clutch Putback Seal Emotional Win Over Celtics

 

PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a classic, hard-fought rivalry battle, the Philadelphia 76ers edged the Boston Celtics 102-100 on Tuesday night, a statement victory made even more significant by the absence of MVP Joel Embiid. The win was sealed by an unexpected late-game hero: Kelly Oubre Jr., who not only scored the game-winning putback but also embodied the defensive intensity and hustle required to beat an elite opponent.

Postgame, Oubre spoke about the decisive final moments, giving insight into his mentality on both ends of the court, particularly his defensive work against the Celtics’ dynamic wings.

 

🎯 The Game-Winner: Instinct, Hustle, and Aggression

 

With the score tied at 100-100 and only seconds remaining, the 76ers ran a play to get the ball into the hands of Tyrese Maxey, who quickly deferred to the hot hand of rookie Justin Edwards. Edwards, who had a phenomenal night, saw his potential game-winning three-pointer miss—but Oubre was there to clean up the offensive glass.

Kelly Oubre Jr. on the Game-Winning Play:

“It was just instinct, honestly,” Oubre explained. “We got the ball to a guy who was clearly on fire tonight in [Justin] Edwards. When he let it go, I just crashed. That’s what Coach [Nick Nurse] preaches—always fight for second chances, especially in a rivalry game like this. You have to be aggressive.”

The crucial element of the play was the Celtics’ defensive lapse, specifically from Jaylen Brown, who failed to box out Oubre after aggressively defending the perimeter. Oubre’s hustle was rewarded as he seized the offensive rebound and laid it in with just 8.7 seconds left to put the Sixers up 102-100.

“I saw the space, and my job at that moment was just to get the ball up and in. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective,” Oubre added, reflecting the no-nonsense, winning mentality the team needed.

 

🔒 Defensive Work: Battling the Celtics’ Wings

 

Beyond the late-game heroics, Oubre’s performance was lauded by Coach Nick Nurse for the continuous defensive energy he brought, particularly guarding the Celtics’ primary offensive threats.

The 76ers’ strategy without Embiid relies heavily on perimeter defense and forcing contested shots, a task Oubre embraced. He was tasked with guarding a combination of Jaylen Brown (who finished with a game-high 24 points) and Derrick White (18 points).

“Defensively, that’s where my mind is at every possession,” Oubre stated. “Against the Celtics, you know you’re getting two of the best wings in the league coming at you all night. My focus was on making them work for every touch, every dribble, and every shot. It’s about not giving them comfortable spots.”

While Oubre’s individual defensive stats aren’t always flashy, his presence contributed significantly to the Celtics shooting just 39.1% from the field.

• Pressure on Brown: Oubre’s length and athleticism helped disrupt Brown’s rhythm, even if the Celtics star put up a high point total. The relentless pressure contributed to the crucial mistake Brown made on the final possession, where he was caught ball-watching and failed to secure the defensive rebound that led to the game-winner.
• Final Defensive Stand: After Oubre’s go-ahead basket, the Sixers executed a clutch defensive stand. Andre Drummond, who had a monster night on the glass (14 points, 13 rebounds), knocked the ball out of Derrick White’s hands, forcing White into a desperate, off-balance heave that sealed the win for Philadelphia. This sequence perfectly encapsulated the team effort and defensive identity Oubre and the rest of the bench have championed in Embiid’s absence.

 

🌟 The Embiid-Less Identity

 

Oubre’s performance is emblematic of the “next man up” mentality that has allowed the Sixers to maintain a winning record despite Embiid missing five of their first eleven games.

“When our MVP is out, the challenge is clear: everyone has to give more,” Oubre affirmed. “It’s not one guy trying to replace 30 points; it’s about everyone ratcheting up the intensity on defense, crashing the glass harder, and being more assertive on offense. Tonight, it was Justin Edwards stepping up in a huge way, and I was just there to clean up the mess. That’s the mindset of this group.”

The win over a full-strength, bitter rival like Boston provides a massive confidence boost for a team proving its toughness and depth under new head coach Nick Nurse. Kelly Oubre Jr.’s aggressive hustle and clutch contribution ensure this victory will be one of the early-season defining moments for the 76ers.