Austin Krell

Joined Dec 5, 2025

Austin Krell has covered the Sixers beat since the 2020-21 NBA season. Previous outlets include 97.3 ESPN and OnPattison.com. He also covered the NBA, at large, for USA Today. When he’s not consuming basketball in some form, he’s binge-watching a tv show, enjoying a movie, or listening to a music playlist on repeat.

May 8, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts next to guard Tyrese Maxey (0) after a foul call during the third quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

May 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) looks to drive past New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talks to New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jan 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talk after the game at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

News

Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) carries his son Arthur on the court after a victory against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Sixers won a war of a Game 7 on the road, beating the Celtics in their building three times in one week.

Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives for a shot against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each notched at least 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to power the Sixers to win Game 7 in Boston.

Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) prepares to take a foul shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

In a stunning development less than two hours before tip-off, the Boston Celtics ruled star forward Jayson Tatum out for Game 7 with left knee stiffness.

Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) reacts to his score against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

It is now anyone's series.

Mar 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers public address announcer Matt Cord during player introductions before game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. He announced that he is retiring at that end of this season. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Cord is forever embedded in your memory if you've spent most of your life living and dying with the Sixers.

Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) defends against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) in the second quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Their defense stepped into the spotlight, holding Boston to 3-for-22 shooting in the quarter.

Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Joel Embiid scored 33 points and dished eight assists to lead the Sixers to a comeback victory over the Boston Celtics to stay alive and send the series back to Philadelphia.

Apr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Boston did not report any injuries.

Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse against the Boston Celtics during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

A decision early in the game proved critical, and the Sixers never recovered in Game 4 as the Celtics rained on Joel Embiid's return to take a 3-1 series lead.

Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

This series feels like proof that the regular season and the playoffs are entirely different animals.

Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Sixers and Celtics exchanged punches all night long, but a few plays down the stretch doomed Philadelphia as Boston recovered home-court advantage and took a 2-1 series lead.

Apr 3, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The only thing the Sixers can do is continue to entrust Adem Bona, who will start Game 3, and Andre Drummond.

Austin Krell

Joined Dec 5, 2025

Sixers' Game 3 Loss to Knicks Yet Another Instance of Blown Opportunity

Six Thoughts: Sixers Offense Stalls Out Late As Knicks Take 2-0 Series Lead

Six Thoughts: Sixers Blitzed by Knicks in Game 1 As Brunson Goes Berserk

Sixers On SI's Staff Predictions For Sixers-Knicks Playoff Series

Before the Sixers Could Slay Demons, Joel Embiid Had to Learn to Trust

Six Thoughts: Embiid, Maxey Power Sixers to Game 7 Victory, Upset Celtics

Jayson Tatum Ruled Out for Game 7, What It Means for the Sixers

If Only for One Night, the Sixers United Philadelphia

Matt Cord, Unplugged

How the Sixers' Defense Forced Game 6

Six Thoughts: Joel Embiid Carries Sixers to Comeback in Boston, Forcing Game 6

Sixers Likely to Have All Hands on Deck With Season on the Line

Six Thoughts: Sixers Get Spanked in Joel Embiid's Return, Season Now on the Brink

Halfway Through the Series, Maybe Tyrese Maxey Is Right

Six Thoughts: Sixers Fall a Few Plays Short in Game 3 Loss to Celtics

Joel Embiid 'Just Not Ready' for Game 3