Tyrese Maxey addresses the effort level and the defensive issues with the Philadelphia 76ers after a loss to the Boston Celtics.

In what has become a rare occurrence this season, the Philadelphia 76ers had Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George on the court at the same time on Thursday. But having their big three playing together didn't matter.

Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers will get back at it when they play host to the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, top, goes up for a shot against Boston Celtics' Derrick White during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Philadelphia.

See today’s NBA same game parlay picks for the Thursday, February 20 Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers game.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers returned to play after the All-Star break on Thursday as they played host to the defending champion Boston Celtics. With their eyes on making a run at the play-in tournament in this final third of the season, the Sixers were looking to end a 5-game skid and turn things around.

And it led to a brutally honest admission from the team's biggest superstar about his recent quality of play. "I'm not as dominant as I was a couple of months ago," Embiid told reporters, per ESPN. While he went on to point out the impact he can still make while on the floor,

The Boston Celtics rolled to a 124-104 victory in a game more lopsided than the final score would indicate. The loss dropped to Sixers to 20-35. It was their sixth straight loss and eighth in nine games.

Tyrese Maxey is staying positive as the 76ers emerge from the All-Star break with a losing record. Spirits remain high around the team.

Have you ever wondered what it is that NBA trainer to the stars Drew Hanlen does to boost the games of players like star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum? The Pure Sweat head honcho recently took some time on a recent episode of the NBC Sports Boston's "Hoopin'" show to talk it over with NBC Sports host Kayla Burton.

The Celtics travel to Philadelphia for their first game since the All-Star break hoping to continue their winning ways in the final 27 games of the regular season. The two teams had different stories before the break; the Celtics had won seven of their past eight games while the 76ers had lost seven of their past eight.