The Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series is one of the most talked-about matchups in the Eastern Conference. Boston, the #2 seed with a 56–26 regular-season record, holds a 2–1 series lead over the #7-seeded Philadelphia 76ers (45–37). Game 4 tips off on April 27, 2026 at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.
Quick Series Summary: Boston Celtics lead Philadelphia 76ers 2–1. Game 3 final: BOS 108 – PHI 100. Game 4 is April 27 in Philadelphia.
What Is the Current Celtics vs 76ers Series Score?
The Boston Celtics lead 2–1 in the best-of-seven series. Here is how each game has gone:
- Game 1 (April 19, TD Garden): Boston Celtics 123 – Philadelphia 76ers 91
- Game 2 (April 22, TD Garden): Philadelphia 76ers 111 – Boston Celtics 97
- Game 3 (April 24, Wells Fargo Center): Boston Celtics 108 – Philadelphia 76ers 100
- Game 4 (April 27, Wells Fargo Center): Scheduled — PHI must win to stay alive
- Game 5 (April 29, TD Garden): Scheduled if needed
The Celtics scored 32 more points than the 76ers in Game 1. Philadelphia’s Game 2 road win briefly tied things, but Boston reclaimed control with a gritty Game 3 road win in Philly.
Boston Celtics vs 76ers Series Timeline
The Celtics vs 76ers 2026 playoff timeline started April 19 and is ongoing:
- April 19 — Game 1: Tatum and Brown combined for 50+ points. Boston dominated all four quarters. BOS leads 1–0.
- April 22 — Game 2: Tyrese Maxey exploded. Philadelphia stole home-court. Series tied 1–1.
- April 24 — Game 3: Boston’s bench outscored Philly 35–14. Celtics win 108–100. BOS leads 2–1.
- April 27 — Game 4 (upcoming): Philadelphia’s season is essentially on the line.
Celtics vs 76ers Box Score — Game 3 (April 24, 2026)
Final score: BOS 108 – PHI 100 at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.
Boston Celtics — Player Stats
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 25 | 4 | 7 | 52.9% | 55.6% | 1 | 0 |
| Jaylen Brown | 25 | 7 | 4 | 56.3% | 50.0% | 1 | 3 |
| Payton Pritchard | 15 | 4 | 2 | 41.7% | 50.0% | 0 | 0 |
| Derrick White | 11 | 4 | 2 | 25.0% | 12.5% | 1 | 3 |
| Nikola Vucevic | 11 | 6 | 4 | 40.0% | 33.3% | 0 | 3 |
Philadelphia 76ers — Player Stats
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Maxey | 31 | 4 | 6 | 38.7% | 38.5% | 1 | 2 |
| Paul George | 18 | 0 | 5 | 50.0% | 57.1% | 2 | 0 |
| Kelly Oubre Jr. | 17 | 6 | 1 | 50.0% | 25.0% | 1 | 1 |
| Andre Drummond | 12 | 6 | 0 | 83.3% | 100% | 0 | 0 |
| Adem Bona | 10 | 5 | 0 | 60.0% | — | 1 | 3 |
Stat Insight: Boston’s bench scored 35 points vs Philadelphia’s 14 bench points — a 21-point swing that was the decisive factor. Celtics also shot 94.1% from the free-throw line (16-of-17).
Team Stats Comparison — Game 3
| Stat | Boston Celtics | Philadelphia 76ers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 108 | 100 |
| 3-Point % | 42.6% (20/47) | 34.3% (12/35) |
| Free Throw % | 94.1% (16/17) | 75.0% (12/16) |
| Total Rebounds | 51 | 48 |
| Bench Points | 35 | 14 |
| True Shooting % | 61.0% | 53.2% |
| Assists | 21 | 18 |
Celtics vs 76ers Prediction — Who Wins the Series?
Boston is the clear favorite. Current win probability gives the Celtics a 71.8% chance of winning Game 4 in Philadelphia, with the 76ers at 28.2%.
The regular season tells a clear story: Boston went 56–26 as the #2 seed; Philadelphia finished 45–37 as the #7 seed. That 11-win gap does not disappear in the playoffs. The Celtics have superior depth, better three-point shooting, and elite free-throw efficiency — all of which compound in a seven-game series.
That said, Tyrese Maxey is playing the best basketball of his career. His 31-point Game 3 performance confirms he belongs among the top guards in the NBA. Paul George was also surprisingly efficient, shooting 57.1% from three. If Philadelphia wins Game 4 and levels at 2–2, the conversation changes significantly.
Historical Fact: NBA teams that take a 3–1 series lead win the series over 96% of the time in league history.
Celtics vs 76ers Standings — Regular Season Context
| Team | Seed | W | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | #2 East | 56 | 26 | .683 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | #7 East | 45 | 37 | .549 |
Both teams play in the Atlantic Division. Boston’s road record of 27–14 during the regular season reflects a team comfortable winning anywhere — including Philadelphia.
Celtics vs 76ers Injury Report — Who Is Out?
The biggest injury story is Joel Embiid’s absence for Philadelphia. The All-Star center has not played in the series, forcing the 76ers to rely entirely on Maxey and George.
| Player | Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | OUT |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | Active |
| Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | Active |
| Derrick White | Boston Celtics | Questionable |
Always check NBA.com within 90 minutes of tipoff for final injury updates.
Where to Watch Celtics vs 76ers — TV & Streaming Guide
- ESPN — Primary US national broadcast for NBA Playoffs
- ABC — Selected prime-time playoff games
- NBA League Pass — Global streaming; best option for Pakistan and international viewers
- ESPN App — Mobile streaming with US cable login
For viewers in Pakistan, NBA League Pass is the most accessible option. Most East Coast US game times fall between 3:00–5:00 AM PKT.
Fact: The NBA broadcasts to over 200 countries and territories globally. NBA League Pass is available in most markets worldwide.
When Is the Next Celtics vs 76ers Game?
Game 4 — Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Tipoff: ~7:00 PM ET / 4:00 AM PKT
TV: ESPN / NBA League Pass
A potential Game 5 (if needed) returns to TD Garden, Boston on April 29. Boston would again hold home-court advantage.
What Has Decided the Celtics vs 76ers Matches So Far?
1. Boston’s Three-Point Volume Is Overwhelming
The Celtics attempted 47 threes in Game 3 and hit 20 of them (42.6%). Payton Pritchard went 5-of-10 from deep off the bench — a matchup nightmare Philadelphia has no answer for without Embiid in the lineup.
2. Tyrese Maxey Is Carrying Philadelphia
Maxey is averaging close to 27 points through three games. His 31-point Game 3 — despite the loss — confirms he is among the top guards in the league right now. Without Embiid, the entire 76ers offense runs through him every single night.
3. The Bench Depth Gap Is the Deciding Factor
Boston’s bench scored 35 points in Game 3 versus Philly’s 14. That 21-point swing from reserve players is a structural advantage Boston has maintained throughout the season and has carried directly into this playoff series.
Advanced Stat: Boston’s True Shooting percentage of 61.0% in Game 3 vs Philadelphia’s 53.2% reflects a massive efficiency gap across all shot types. Over seven games, this compounds into an enormous scoring advantage.
How to Get Celtics vs 76ers Tickets
- Game 4 (April 27, Philadelphia): Available via 76ers official site, Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek
- Game 5 (April 29, Boston — if needed): Via Celtics.com and Ticketmaster
Playoff tickets command a premium above regular-season prices. On secondary markets, expect prices 40–70% above face value for a standard first-round game, and significantly higher if Game 5 becomes a potential series clincher.
Celtics vs 76ers Discussions — What Fans Are Saying
The central debate heading into Game 4 is whether Philadelphia can protect home court and extend the series. Key questions dominating fan discussions:
- Can Maxey maintain his current scoring pace for an entire series, or will fatigue and defensive adjustments catch up with him?
- Is Paul George’s 57.1% three-point shooting from Game 3 sustainable, or was it a one-game run?
- Why did Jaylen Brown have 6 turnovers in Game 3 — and will Boston tighten that up?
The Embiid factor dominates the broader basketball conversation. Most analysts agree that a healthy Embiid would make this a far more competitive series. Without him, Philadelphia is essentially asking two players to carry an entire postseason run.
Final Takeaway: Celtics vs 76ers 2026 Playoffs
The Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers series has been more entertaining than expected. The Celtics lead 2–1 and are one win from advancing. Their superior depth, three-point shooting, and free-throw efficiency make them the heavy favorite to close it out in Game 4.
Philadelphia, though, has Maxey and George playing at a high level. A home win on April 27 would reset the series and make things truly interesting. Check back after Game 4 for an updated box score and player stats.
