Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers happily played the "Grinch" role at TD Garden on Christmas Day. Amid plenty of boos from the Boston crowd,

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid fell to the parquet during warmups before Wednesday’s game against the Boston Celtics but remained in the starting lineup for the Christmas Day matchup.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Philadelphia 76ers hit the floor for a Christmas Day game against the rival Boston Celtics from the TD Garden. The game marked one of the few instances where the 76ers' big three trio of Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid would take the floor together, but things almost didn't work out that way.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) argues with referee Jenna Schroeder (20) and is ejected on a second technical foul during

If the 76ers’ game against the defending champion Boston Celtics was a barometer of where they stand, the answer was clear after registering a 118-114 Christmas Day victory at TD Garden. The Sixers showed that they have the potential to be an elite team.

The 76ers got their first crack at the defending-champion Celtics in the third spot on the NBA Christmas Day marathon.