76ers vs. Celtics: Will Boston be challenged in Round 1? Series keys, schedule and prediction

The Eastern Conference’s second-seeded Boston Celtics play the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. The Atlantic Division rivals met in the postseason three times from 2018-23, and the Celtics’ combination of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown advanced against Joel Embiid’s Sixers each time.

Schedule | Odds | Celtics breakdown | 76ers breakdown
Head-to-head | Matchup to watch | Key question | Prediction

East previews: Hawks-Knicks • Raptors-Cavaliers
West previews: Wolves-Nuggets • Rockets-Lakers

Series schedule

Game 1: Sun., April 19 at Boston (1 p.m., ABC)
Game 2: Tue., April 21 at Boston (7 p.m., Peacock)
Game 3: Fri., April 24 at Philadelphia (7 p.m., Prime)
Game 4: Sun., April 26 at Philadelphia (7 p.m., NBC)
*Game 5: Tue., April 28 at Boston (TBD)
*Game 6: Thu., April 30 at Philadelphia (TBD)
*Game 7: Sat., May 2 at Boston (TBD)

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*if necessary

Series betting odds

(Via BetMGM)

Boston Celtics (-900)
Philadelphia 76ers (+600)

What we know about the Celtics

The Celtics lost All-NBA first team mainstay Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles in the second round of the 2025 playoffs, where their title defense ended against the New York Knicks. Moreover, they faced a massive luxury tax bill in Tatum’s absence, shedding the salaries of Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet.

Many figured for them for a gap year (i.e., Tatum rehabs, they duck the tax, maybe even pick up a lottery pick, and they refocus their attention on the 2026-27 season.) Only head coach Joe Mazzulla, a maniacal competitor, didn’t allow it. Jaylen Brown, who submitted his own campaign worthy of the All-NBA First Team, wouldn’t allow it.

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Everyone in Boston deserves credit for taking a step forward in Tatum’s absence. Guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard assumed added responsibility on the offensive end. Neemias Queta is a Most Improved Player candidate at center, where Luka Garza is an X-factor. Unheralded wings Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh each impacted victories. Even Anfernee Simons made significant contributions, before…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/76ers-vs-celtics-will-boston-be-challenged-in-round-1-series-keys-schedule-and-prediction-141301247.html

Author : Ben Rohrbach

Publish date : 2026-04-17 14:13:00

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