76ers vs Celtics Timeline: Rivalry History, Playoff Battles, Records and 2026-27 Schedule
The 76ers vs Celtics timeline stretches back more than 75 years, beginning when the Philadelphia franchise was still known as the Syracuse Nationals. Since then, Boston and Philadelphia have produced some of the NBA’s most memorable playoff games, from Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain to Larry Bird vs. Julius Erving and, more recently, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Maxey.
The latest chapter was one of the most dramatic. In the 2026 Eastern Conference first round, the No. 7 76ers defeated the No. 2 Celtics 4-3 after falling behind 3-1. Philadelphia won the final three games, including a 109-100 victory in Game 7 at Boston on May 2.
The rivalry is now entering another unusual chapter. Jaylen Brown, who spent his entire NBA career with Boston before the 2026 offseason, was traded to Philadelphia, while LeBron James joined the Sixers in free agency. The teams are scheduled to meet six times in the 2026-27 season, including two preseason games and four regular-season contests.
76ers vs Celtics Timeline: Quick Answer
The Boston Celtics lead the all-time 76ers-Sixers rivalry 344-254 through 598 meetings, including the playoffs. Boston also leads the postseason series count 15-8.
However, Philadelphia owns the most recent result. The Sixers defeated Boston 4-3 in the 2026 Eastern Conference first round after trailing the series 3-1. Game 7 ended 109-100 in Boston.
The first meeting between the two franchises came on November 30, 1949, when the Syracuse Nationals defeated the Celtics 87-71. The Nationals moved to Philadelphia and became the 76ers in 1963.

76ers vs Celtics All-Time Record
As of the latest completed meeting, Boston has the overall advantage:
| Category | Celtics | 76ers |
| All meetings | 344 | 254 |
| Regular-season games | 275 | 200 |
| Playoff games | 69 | 54 |
| Playoff series | 15 | 8 |
| Total meetings | 598 | 598 |
The 598 meetings include 475 regular-season games and 123 playoff games. Philadelphia’s three straight wins at the end of the 2026 playoff series gave the Sixers the current three-game winning streak. Boston’s longest winning streak against Philadelphia is 20 games.
The numbers show why this matchup is considered one of the NBA’s classic rivalries. Boston has won more often, but Philadelphia has repeatedly produced championship-level teams capable of changing the balance for a few seasons at a time.
The Beginning: Syracuse Nationals vs Boston Celtics
1949: The first meeting
The rivalry began before the 76ers were even the 76ers.
On November 30, 1949, the Syracuse Nationals defeated Boston 87-71. That game established a matchup that would eventually become one of the most frequently played rivalries in NBA history.
Philadelphia fans therefore should think of the Syracuse Nationals as part of the same franchise history. When the Nationals relocated to Philadelphia in 1963, the team adopted the 76ers name.
1953: First playoff meeting
Boston and Syracuse first met in the playoffs in 1953. The Celtics won that Eastern Division semifinal series 2-0.
The early rivalry quickly became competitive. Syracuse responded with playoff victories over Boston in 1954, 1955 and 1956.
The 1955 series was especially important because Syracuse went on to win the NBA championship, defeating the Fort Wayne Pistons 4-3 in the Finals.
1957-1961: Boston takes control
The balance shifted toward Boston during the late 1950s.
The Celtics won playoff series against Syracuse in 1957, 1959 and 1961. Boston was building the foundation of the dynasty that would dominate the NBA, while Syracuse remained one of the league’s strongest challengers.
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That set the stage for the arrival of two of the most important centers in basketball history.
1965-1968: Wilt Chamberlain vs Bill Russell
The 1960s produced perhaps the most famous version of the Celtics-Sixers rivalry.
Bill Russell was the defensive centerpiece of Boston’s dynasty. Wilt Chamberlain eventually became the dominant force in Philadelphia. Their battles became a major part of the NBA’s history.
1965: Havlicek’s famous steal
The 1965 Eastern Division Finals produced one of the defining moments in the rivalry.
Boston and Philadelphia went to Game 7, with the Celtics holding a one-point lead late in the game. With five seconds remaining, John Havlicek deflected Hal Greer’s inbound pass, helping Boston preserve a 110-109 victory.
The play became one of the most famous moments in NBA history because of broadcaster Johnny Most’s excited call.
1967: Philadelphia finally breaks through
Two years later, the Sixers turned the tables.
Philadelphia finished the 1966-67 regular season 68-13, then defeated Boston 4-1 in the Eastern Division Finals. The victory ended the Celtics’ eight-year championship run.
The Sixers went on to win the NBA championship, defeating San Francisco in the Finals.
That 1967 team remains one of the most celebrated squads in franchise history, with Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Chet Walker and Billy Cunningham leading Philadelphia.
1968: Boston answers with a 3-1 comeback
The rivalry immediately produced another classic.
Philadelphia took a 3-1 lead in the 1968 Eastern Division Finals, but Boston won the final three games. In Game 7, the Celtics won 100-96 in Philadelphia.
Havlicek scored 40 points in the decisive game, while Russell made several crucial plays down the stretch.
That comeback became an important piece of the rivalry’s history because Philadelphia would eventually get its own chance to reverse the story decades later.
1970s: Julius Erving Brings Philadelphia Back
The rivalry cooled somewhat during the early 1970s, but Philadelphia became a major threat again after acquiring Julius Erving in 1976.
The Sixers defeated the defending champion Celtics in seven games in the 1977 Eastern Conference Finals. That victory sent Philadelphia to the NBA Finals.
Erving’s arrival helped restore the rivalry’s importance and created another generation of star matchups between Boston and Philadelphia.
1980-1985: Larry Bird, Julius Erving and the Peak of the Rivalry
The early 1980s produced another extraordinary period in Celtics-Sixers history.
Boston had Larry Bird. Philadelphia had Julius Erving and later Moses Malone. Both teams were regularly competing for the Eastern Conference championship.
1980: Philadelphia wins the East
The Sixers defeated Boston in the 1980 Eastern Conference Finals, earning a trip to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Philadelphia eventually lost that championship series, but beating Boston had already established the Sixers as one of the NBA’s leading teams.
1981: Boston comes back from 3-1
One year later, the Celtics returned the favor.
Philadelphia led Boston 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Celtics won three consecutive games to take the series. Boston won Game 7 91-90, with Larry Bird hitting the go-ahead shot late in the contest.
This was one of the most painful losses in Philadelphia basketball history.
It also created a remarkable connection to the 2026 playoffs: both franchises eventually experienced a 3-1 comeback against the other.
1982: Philadelphia wins another Game 7 in Boston
The Sixers got their revenge the following season.
Philadelphia again faced Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals and eventually forced a Game 7. This time, the Sixers won in Boston to advance to the NBA Finals.
Andrew Toney scored 34 points and Julius Erving added 29 in the deciding game. Philadelphia went on to lose to the Lakers in the Finals.
That 1982 victory became particularly important because it was Philadelphia’s last playoff series win over Boston before the 2026 postseason.
1983: The Sixers win the championship
The Celtics were not the team Philadelphia had to defeat in the Finals in 1983, but the rivalry remained central to the Eastern Conference.
Led by Erving, Moses Malone and Maurice Cheeks, Philadelphia dominated the postseason and swept the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
1985: Boston wins the rematch
The Celtics and Sixers met again in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1985.
Boston won the series 4-1 and advanced to the NBA Finals, where the Celtics defeated the Lakers for the championship.
The 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1985 Eastern Conference Finals show just how important the Celtics-Sixers matchup was during that era. The franchises met four times in six years with an NBA Finals appearance on the line.
2000s and 2010s: Iverson, Pierce and a New Generation
The rivalry eventually moved away from the Bird-Erving era, but the postseason meetings continued.
2002: Allen Iverson vs Paul Pierce
Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia team met Paul Pierce’s Boston Celtics in the 2002 first round.
Boston won the best-of-five series 3-2.
It was a new version of the rivalry, but the basic pattern remained familiar: star players, physical games and high postseason stakes.
2012: Another seven-game battle
The teams met again in the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Boston won the series 4-3, eliminating the eighth-seeded Sixers after a seven-game battle.
2017: The draft-night connection
The rivalry also took an unusual turn during the 2017 NBA Draft.
Boston held the No. 1 overall pick but traded it to Philadelphia in exchange for the No. 3 pick and a future first-round selection. Philadelphia selected Markelle Fultz, while Boston selected Jayson Tatum.
That transaction eventually became one of the most discussed connections between the two franchises because Tatum developed into a Boston superstar.
2018-2023: Tatum, Embiid and More Playoff Pain
2018: Boston wins again
Philadelphia and Boston met in the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Celtics won the series 4-1.
The matchup helped establish a new generation of stars, particularly Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid.
2020: Boston sweeps Philadelphia
The teams met again in the 2020 postseason bubble.
Boston won all four games and swept the Sixers.
Philadelphia subsequently moved on from head coach Brett Brown, ending his tenure after the disappointing playoff result.
2023: Philadelphia gets another 3-2 lead
The 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals appeared to be another chance for Philadelphia to break through.
The Sixers led the series 3-2, but Boston won Games 6 and 7.
Tatum produced a 51-point performance in Game 7 as Boston advanced.
For Philadelphia, it was another painful ending against the Celtics and another postseason in which a promising series slipped away late.
2025-26 Regular Season: How the Teams Matched Up
The four regular-season meetings before the 2026 playoffs were split 2-2.
| Date | Result | Winner |
| Oct. 22, 2025 | 76ers 117, Celtics 116 | Philadelphia |
| Oct. 31, 2025 | Celtics 109, 76ers 108 | Boston |
| Nov. 11, 2025 | 76ers 102, Celtics 100 | Philadelphia |
| March 1, 2026 | Celtics 114, 76ers 98 | Boston |
That 2-2 split made the playoff matchup even more difficult to predict.
Philadelphia eventually entered the postseason as the No. 7 seed after the play-in tournament, while Boston was the No. 2 seed.
2026 76ers vs Celtics Playoff Timeline
The 2026 series became the newest defining chapter in the rivalry.
Boston entered as the higher seed and won Game 1 comfortably. Philadelphia responded in Game 2, but Boston took Games 3 and 4 to move within one victory of advancing.
Then everything changed.
| Game | Date | Result | Series |
| Game 1 | April 19 | Celtics 123, 76ers 91 | BOS 1-0 |
| Game 2 | April 21 | 76ers 111, Celtics 97 | 1-1 |
| Game 3 | April 24 | Celtics 108, 76ers 100 | BOS 2-1 |
| Game 4 | April 26 | Celtics 128, 76ers 96 | BOS 3-1 |
| Game 5 | April 28 | 76ers 113, Celtics 97 | BOS 3-2 |
| Game 6 | April 30 | 76ers 106, Celtics 93 | 3-3 |
| Game 7 | May 2 | 76ers 109, Celtics 100 | PHI wins 4-3 |
The official NBA game record confirms Philadelphia’s 4-3 series victory and the complete Game 1 through Game 7 progression.
Game 1: Boston makes a statement
Boston opened the series with a 123-91 victory.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points, while Jayson Tatum grabbed 11 rebounds.
Game 2: Philadelphia responds
The Sixers immediately answered.
Philadelphia won 111-97 behind a 36-point performance from Jaylen Brown, who was then still playing for Boston.
The series moved to Philadelphia tied 1-1.
Games 3 and 4: Boston takes control
Boston won Game 3 by eight points and then dominated Game 4, winning 128-96.
After four games, the Celtics had a 3-1 lead and were one win away from eliminating Philadelphia.
Game 5: The comeback begins
Philadelphia returned to Boston and won 113-97.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 33 points, giving Philadelphia its first road win of the series.
Game 6: Philadelphia forces a decider
The Sixers followed with another strong defensive performance.
Philadelphia won 106-93 at home, tying the series 3-3.
The rivalry now had a winner-take-all Game 7.
Game 7: Philadelphia finishes the comeback
The Sixers won 109-100 at TD Garden.
Embiid led Philadelphia with 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey added 30 points and 11 rebounds.
Philadelphia had completed the comeback from 3-1 down.
It was also the franchise’s first playoff series victory over Boston since 1982.
Why the 2026 Series Was Historically Important
The 2026 series was more than another playoff meeting.
It connected several different eras of the rivalry.
Boston had previously come back from 3-1 against Philadelphia in 1968 and 1981. In 2026, Philadelphia became the team completing the comeback.
That reversal gave the rivalry a rare symmetry.
The series also added another Game 7 to a matchup already known for decisive games. The 2026 contest was the latest in a long line of winner-take-all battles between Boston and Philadelphia.
The matchup also featured an unusual storyline around Joel Embiid. After missing the opening games because of an appendectomy, he returned during the series and eventually played a major role in Philadelphia’s comeback.
Most importantly, Philadelphia finally defeated Boston in a playoff series again after a gap of more than four decades.
2026 Offseason: Jaylen Brown Changes Sides
One of the biggest developments in the rivalry came after the playoff series ended.
On July 6, 2026, Philadelphia acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston in a blockbuster trade. The Sixers sent Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks to the Celtics.
Brown had been one of Boston’s most important players and had just completed the best statistical season of his career.
The move means the rivalry now has an unusual storyline: a player who helped Boston compete against Philadelphia in the 2026 playoffs is now wearing a Sixers uniform.
That could make Brown’s first regular-season return to Boston one of the most anticipated games of the 2026-27 schedule.
LeBron James Joins the 76ers
Philadelphia added another major name during the offseason.
LeBron James joined the 76ers in July 2026, returning to the Eastern Conference and joining a roster that already included Embiid, Maxey and Brown.
That changes the context of future Celtics vs 76ers games.
The rivalry is no longer simply about the historical matchup between two franchises. It now features an entirely new roster dynamic, with Philadelphia combining veteran experience with a group of established stars and younger players.
76ers vs Celtics 2026-27 Schedule
The teams are scheduled to play six times in the 2026-27 campaign: two preseason games and four regular-season games.
| Date | Matchup | Location | Status / TV |
| Oct. 10, 2026 | 76ers at Celtics | TD Garden | Preseason, 8 p.m. ET |
| Oct. 16, 2026 | Celtics at 76ers | Philadelphia | Preseason, 7 p.m. ET |
| Nov. 10, 2026 | Celtics at 76ers | Philadelphia | 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock |
| Jan. 21, 2027 | 76ers at Celtics | TD Garden | 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video |
| Feb. 7, 2027 | Celtics at 76ers | Philadelphia | 7 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBC/Telemundo |
| Mar. 7, 2027 | 76ers at Celtics | TD Garden | 1 p.m. ET, ABC |
The NBA’s official schedule confirms the four regular-season meetings, including Brown’s January return to Boston.
When is the next 76ers vs Celtics game?
The next scheduled meeting is the preseason game on October 10, 2026, at TD Garden. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
The second preseason matchup is October 16 in Philadelphia at 7 p.m. ET.
The first regular-season meeting is November 10 in Philadelphia.
Where to Watch 76ers vs Celtics
For the 2026-27 regular season, the national broadcasts vary by game.
The November 10 meeting is scheduled for NBC and Peacock. The January 21 game in Boston is scheduled for Prime Video. The February 7 Philadelphia game is scheduled for Peacock, NBC and Telemundo, while the March 7 meeting in Boston is scheduled for ABC.
For preseason, the October 10 matchup is listed for NBA TV, while the October 16 game is also scheduled for NBA TV according to current schedule listings.
Broadcast information can change, so viewers should check the NBA’s official schedule close to game day.
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Celtics vs 76ers Match Player Stats: What to Follow
When searching for Celtics vs 76ers match player stats, several players are especially important to watch.
Joel Embiid
Embiid remains the matchup’s biggest interior presence for Philadelphia. His scoring, rebounding and ability to draw defensive attention can change how Boston defends the Sixers.
His availability has also been one of the most important variables in recent Philadelphia-Boston playoff meetings.
Tyrese Maxey
Maxey gives Philadelphia a different type of offensive threat.
His speed creates pressure in transition and in pick-and-roll situations. When Boston has to help on Embiid, Maxey’s ability to attack open space becomes especially important.
Jaylen Brown
Brown is now on the Philadelphia side of the rivalry.
That makes him one of the most interesting players to watch in future Celtics vs 76ers matchups. His familiarity with Boston’s system, teammates and defensive tendencies could make his return particularly significant.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum remains central to Boston’s long-term identity. His scoring, playmaking and size make him difficult for Philadelphia to match when he is healthy.
The 2026 playoffs were unusual because Tatum was dealing with an Achilles injury, limiting his availability.
Why individual stats can be misleading
A box score can tell you who scored the most points, but it does not always explain why a Celtics vs 76ers game was won.
For example, useful numbers include:
- Points
- Rebounds
- Assists
- Three-point percentage
- Turnovers
- Free throws
- Plus/minus
- Offensive rebounds
- Team shooting percentage
For playoff games, fourth-quarter performance can be particularly important because many Celtics-Sixers games have been decided late.
Celtics vs 76ers: Regular Season vs Playoffs
It is useful to separate regular-season records from playoff records.
Boston’s overall advantage includes hundreds of regular-season games played across many different eras. Playoff results tell a different story because they measure how the teams performed when elimination was at stake.
The Celtics lead the playoff series count 15-8, but the rivalry has produced numerous seven-game series and famous winner-take-all moments.
The 2026 series added another example.
This distinction also explains why a team can have a strong all-time record without necessarily dominating every era of the rivalry.
The Most Important Games in the Rivalry
If you only want to remember a handful of Celtics vs 76ers games, these are among the most significant:
1965 Game 7
Boston defeated Philadelphia 110-109 after Havlicek’s famous late steal.
1967 Eastern Division Finals
Philadelphia defeated Boston 4-1 and ended Boston’s eight-year championship streak.
1968 Game 7
Boston came back from 3-1 down and defeated Philadelphia 100-96.
1981 Game 7
Boston completed another 3-1 comeback, winning 91-90.
1982 Game 7
Philadelphia defeated Boston in Boston to reach the NBA Finals.
2023 Game 7
Boston eliminated Philadelphia after the Sixers had held a 3-2 series advantage.
2026 Game 7
Philadelphia defeated Boston 109-100 after trailing the series 3-1.
Together, these games show why the Celtics-Sixers rivalry has remained relevant across multiple generations.
Why the 76ers-Celtics Rivalry Matters
Few NBA rivalries have remained important for as long as this one.
The teams have shared multiple eras of basketball history:
- Syracuse Nationals vs early Celtics
- Wilt Chamberlain vs Bill Russell
- Julius Erving vs Larry Bird
- Allen Iverson vs Paul Pierce
- Joel Embiid vs Jayson Tatum
- Tyrese Maxey vs Boston’s next generation
- Jaylen Brown now switching from Boston to Philadelphia
The rivalry has also repeatedly affected the Eastern Conference race. Boston and Philadelphia have met in the postseason across several different generations, often with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line.
That history gives even a regular-season Celtics vs 76ers game more meaning than an ordinary matchup.
76ers vs Celtics Timeline: Key Dates at a Glance
| Year | What Happened |
| 1949 | Syracuse Nationals and Boston meet for the first time |
| 1953 | First playoff meeting; Boston wins |
| 1954-56 | Syracuse wins three straight playoff series against Boston |
| 1957-61 | Boston wins three playoff series |
| 1963 | Syracuse relocates to Philadelphia and becomes the 76ers |
| 1965 | Boston wins Game 7 by one point after Havlicek’s steal |
| 1967 | Philadelphia beats Boston 4-1 and wins the championship |
| 1968 | Boston rallies from 3-1 down and wins Game 7 |
| 1977 | Philadelphia beats Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals |
| 1980 | Sixers defeat Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals |
| 1981 | Celtics overcome a 3-1 deficit and win Game 7 |
| 1982 | Philadelphia wins Game 7 in Boston |
| 1985 | Boston defeats Philadelphia 4-1 in the East finals |
| 2002 | Boston beats Allen Iverson’s Sixers 3-2 |
| 2012 | Boston wins another seven-game series |
| 2017 | Boston trades the No. 1 pick to Philadelphia; Tatum is selected at No. 3 |
| 2018 | Boston wins the second-round series 4-1 |
| 2020 | Boston sweeps Philadelphia |
| 2023 | Boston wins Games 6 and 7 after Philadelphia leads 3-2 |
| 2026 | Philadelphia wins 4-3 after trailing 3-1 |
| 2026 offseason | Philadelphia acquires Jaylen Brown and signs LeBron James |
| 2026-27 | Celtics and Sixers are scheduled to meet six times |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Celtics vs 76ers playoff series?
The Philadelphia 76ers won the 2026 Eastern Conference first-round series 4-3. They defeated Boston in Games 5, 6 and 7 after trailing 3-1. Game 7 finished 109-100 in Boston.
Who leads the Celtics vs 76ers all-time?
Boston leads the all-time series 344-254 through 598 total meetings. The Celtics also have the advantage in both regular-season and playoff games.
How many times have the Celtics and 76ers met in the playoffs?
They have played 123 playoff games across 23 postseason series. Boston leads the playoff series count 15-8.
Have the 76ers ever come back from 3-1 against the Celtics?
Yes. Philadelphia’s 2026 first-round victory was the franchise’s first 3-1 comeback against Boston. It reversed two famous earlier Celtics comebacks, in 1968 and 1981.
When did the Celtics and 76ers first play?
The franchises first met on November 30, 1949. The Syracuse Nationals defeated Boston 87-71. The Nationals later moved to Philadelphia and became the 76ers.
When did the 76ers last beat the Celtics in a playoff series before 2026?
Philadelphia’s previous playoff series victory over Boston came in 1982. The Sixers won Game 7 in Boston and advanced to the NBA Finals.
What is the biggest Celtics vs 76ers winning streak?
Boston’s longest winning streak against the 76ers is 20 games.
When is the next Celtics vs 76ers game?
The next scheduled meeting is October 10, 2026, when Philadelphia visits Boston for a preseason game at TD Garden. It is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
When is Jaylen Brown’s first regular-season game against Boston?
Brown is scheduled to return to Boston with Philadelphia on January 21, 2027. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden and will be carried by Prime Video.
Where can I watch Celtics vs 76ers?
The broadcast depends on the date. The 2026-27 schedule lists games across NBA TV, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, Telemundo and ABC. For the most accurate information, check the official NBA schedule near the game date.
What are the most famous Celtics vs 76ers playoff moments?
The most recognized moments include Havlicek’s 1965 steal, Philadelphia’s 1967 upset of Boston, Boston’s 1968 and 1981 comebacks from 3-1, Philadelphia’s 1982 Game 7 victory in Boston, and the Sixers’ 2026 3-1 comeback.
Are the Celtics and 76ers in the same division?
Yes. Both teams play in the NBA’s Atlantic Division alongside the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors.
Conclusion
The 76ers vs Celtics timeline is really a history of changing NBA generations.
The rivalry started with the Syracuse Nationals in 1949, grew into a battle between Russell and Chamberlain, reached another peak with Bird and Erving, and continued through Iverson, Pierce, Tatum and Embiid.
Boston still owns the overall statistical advantage, with 344 wins to Philadelphia’s 254 through 598 meetings. But the newest chapter belongs to Philadelphia.
The Sixers’ 2026 comeback from a 3-1 deficit ended a 44-year wait for another playoff series victory over Boston. Now the rivalry has another twist: Jaylen Brown has changed sides, LeBron James has joined Philadelphia, and the two teams are scheduled to meet six times during the 2026-27 campaign.
The next meeting is already on the calendar. Philadelphia visits Boston on October 10, 2026, before the teams begin their four-game regular-season schedule.
For a rivalry that has survived more than seven decades, the next chapter may be just as interesting as the last one.