For the Wizards, Game 1 was there for the taking. Then the Sixers took it.

Then there was Washington’s other star, Beal, who was playing in his first postseason game since 2018 and was clearly enjoying himself. He parodied Embiid’s footwork after the big man was called for taking too many steps. He turned to give the fans an earful after he nailed his first three-pointer of the game in the third quarter, giving Washington a 77-73 lead. Near the end of that period, the 76ers’ crowd rose for defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle, but Beal drove past him anyway and scored. He celebrated by wildly waving his arms, mocking the crowd’s enthusiasm.