Al Horford's sister mocks Joel Embiid and Sixers after Christmas Day win - "Closest they’re getting to an NBA championship" 

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers upset the Boston Celtics 118-114 during Wednesday's Christmas Day matchup. Afterward, Celtics big man Al Horford's sister, Anna Horford, mocked Philly's accomplishment and the franchise's NBA championship prospects.

The Sixers (11-17) got off to a slow start this season amid a series of injuries to their top players. However, their Big 3 of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George were all available on Christmas.

After overcoming a pregame fall, Embiid showed out during the nationally televised broadcast. He tallied 27 points, nine rebounds and four 3-pointers, shooting 53.3.%.

Meanwhile, Maxey recorded a team-best 33 points, 12 assists, three steals and three triples, shooting 52.2%. 13 of his points came in the fourth quarter as Philly outscored Boston 36-32 to hang on for a four-point road victory at TD Garden.

The Celtics' (22-8) loss marked their second straight, the first time they've lost back-to-back games this season.

Nevertheless, Anna Horford, a frequent Sixers critic, quipped postgame that Philly shouldn't get too excited by its win, as it is again peaking early. The organization hasn't made an Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2001, well before the Embiid era.

"Beating us is the closest they're getting to an NBA championship. Go Cs," Horford wrote on X/Twitter.

Despite the Celtics' loss, they maintain a 10-game advantage over the Sixers in the East standings, with Philly positioned just outside the play-in.

The teams will match up thrice more this season, beginning on Feb. 2 at the Sixers' Wells Fargo Center. Given the animosity between the squads and their fan bases, their upcoming showdowns should be eventful.

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Joel Embiid on Sixers' ceiling after dispatching Celtics

Anna Horford may not view the Sixers as legitimate title contenders. However, according to Joel Embiid, his team is only scratching the surface of its potential.

Following Wednesday's victory over the Celtics, the 2023 MVP noted that Philly still has substantial room for improvement if it stays healthy.

"We got a high ceiling," Embiid said. "It's all about us putting it together. I don't think that was close to our best basketball, but we got a pretty good chance. So, it's all about looking for some luck and staying healthy."

The Sixers will look to extend their winning streak to three games and inch closer to .500 during Saturday's road clash against the Utah Jazz (7-21).

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