Overcoming Joel Embiid’s absence, Sixers take Game 1, 119-115, behind James Harden’s 45 points

BOSTON — The 76ers didn’t need Joel Embiid.

And if Monday’s game is any indication, they can the beat Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinal series without the presumptive MVP.

The Sixers battled hard, overcame the Celtics’ first-half shooting, and received an epic performance from James Harden in a 119-115 Game 1 victory at TD Garden. They’ll look to go up 2-0 when the squads meet for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series here on Wednesday.

“I mean, we didn’t come into the game expecting to lose,” Harden said. “We are here to win. Even after this game, I told the guys, ‘Don’t get too happy, like be even keel. We are coming in here in to get [victories].’ That’s the mindset that we have as a unit. Whether Jo comes back or not, we’ll be ready to go.”

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As the league’s best player, Embiid means everything to the Sixers. But Harden feels they other players on the floor are capable of winning games.

“And,” he said, “that’s what we did tonight.”

Doc Rivers wouldn’t say if Embiid, who is sidelined with a sprained right knee, will play in Game 2.

“I don’t know,” Rivers said before the game. “I hope. I mean, I can’t even say. It’s not even ... it hasn’t been talked about yet.”

Harden proved in Game 1 that he can be more than enough. He finished with a game-high 45 points, tying a career playoff-high, making 17 of 30 shots and tied a season high with seven three-pointers. He had 15 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead basket with 8.4 seconds left.

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The final period saw several big plays, but none played a larger factor than a Tyrese Maxey steal. He stepped in the passing lane on an errant Malcolm Brogdon pass, as the shot clock was winding down, and scored a breakaway layup to give the Sixers a 114-113 lead with 28.9 seconds left. Hearing a whistle, Maxey almost stopped on the play before scoring the uncontested basket.

“I was about to pick the ball up,” he said. “I’m so glad that I kept going. Right play, right time.”

However, Jayson Tatum was fouled by Tobias Harris on the ensuing possession. Tatum made a pair of foul shots to put the Celtics up by one point. Then Harden responded with his three-pointer to put the Sixers up, 117-115.

Paul Reed, who started in place of Embiid, hit a pair of foul shots with 4.6 seconds left to make it a five-point game.

Heading into the game, Rivers said the Sixers would need a collective effort to try to replace Embiid. He also noted that the Sixers were 12-5 without the six-time All-Star this season. The coach talked about opening up the floor. He wanted to get in the paint, play with a small lineup featuring P.J. Tucker at center and play zone.

“It’s the kitchen-sink mentality, honestly,” Rivers said, “but we’re used to it and we do that pretty well. Our guys are willing to do it and that’s good.”

Meanwhile, Harden had a game reminiscent of his time as a three-time scoring champion with the Houston Rockets. The point guard was tough to guard early on. He made his first five shots and scored 16 points in the first quarter.

“I haven’t felt one of those zones in a minute,” Harden said. “It felt really good. I mean, just to be aggressive and shoot the basketball and do what I want. That felt really good. And I’m capable of doing it so it felt good to make shots, give ourselves a chance to be on the road Game 1 and be aggressive. We won. I’m happy.”

De’Anthony Melton was close to unguardable on the perimeter in the first half, scoring 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting. He failed to score the rest of the game, attempting just one shot after intermission, but he kept the Sixers within striking distance while Boston was shooting 71.8% in the first 24 minutes.

But Harden, Maxey (26), and Harris (18) shared the offensive load, while Reed finished with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

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While the Sixers performed admirably on offense, Embiid’s defensive presence was missed. The Celtics got just about any shot they wanted in the paint. Boston shot 58.7% from the field for the game. They had 66 points in the paint. Their 26 points in the paint in the first quarter were the most they’ve had in any quarter this season. Boston also shot 85% (17-for-20) that quarter, and 71.8% for the first half. But the Sixers did a better job defensively after going to a zone after intermission.

Tatum had 39 points on 14-for-25 shooting. Jaylen Brown added 23, while Malcolm Brodgon, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, had 20.

The Sixers showed a lot of grit without Embiid, who suffered a sprained lateral collateral ligament on April 20 in Game 3 of the Sixers’ opening-round series against the Brooklyn Nets.

He missed Game 4 when the Sixers closed out their series against the Nets on April 22. While he didn’t play Monday, Embiid participated in a post-practice shooting drill with Harden following Sunday’s practice. He was also seen shooting on Monday.

“He shot today, a little bit after practice,” Rivers said of Monday’s shootaround. “That was his first real court time. But there was zero running still.”

This isn’t new for the Sixers. Embiid has missed at least one playoff game in five of the team’s last six postseason appearances.

“I mean, there’s not concern other than you want everyone to be healthy,” Rivers said. “He tripped. It was a freak accident. There’s nothing you can do about it. [Miami Heat forward] Jimmy Butler stepped on someone’s foot [and injured his ankle]. It’s just basketball.”

The coach feels there’s no way to avoid bad luck at times. Embiid has done everything Rivers has asked him to do during his three seasons as coach.

“And every year this time something happens, and all of them are freak accidents,” Rivers said. “There’s literally nothing you can do about it, especially with Jo. He plays in traffic a lot. He’s on the floor a lot. And teams are very physical with him. They have to be, otherwise [he dominates.]”