Celtics, 76ers Renew Rivalry in Playoff Opener

Both teams have key players returning from injuries ahead of their first-round series matchup.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.The Celtics and 76ers renew their long-standing playoff rivalry, with both teams welcoming back key players as they battle for Eastern Conference supremacy.Boston Today

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers will meet in the opening round of the NBA playoffs, with both teams welcoming back key players who missed time during the regular season. The Celtics' Jayson Tatum and the 76ers' Paul George are set to play, but the status of Philadelphia's Joel Embiid remains uncertain after his recent appendectomy.

Why it matters

This series features two of the Eastern Conference's top teams and longtime rivals. The outcome could have major implications for the rest of the playoffs, as the winner will be well-positioned to make a deep run. The return of Tatum and George adds intrigue, while Embiid's health will be a major factor.

The details

The Celtics and 76ers split their four regular-season meetings, but those games were played before key players returned from injuries. Tatum averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 16 games after recovering from an Achilles injury, while George missed time due to a suspension. Embiid's status is uncertain after he had an appendectomy late in the regular season.

  • The Celtics and 76ers will meet in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday, April 18, 2026.
  • Tatum returned to the Celtics' lineup in mid-November after recovering from an Achilles injury.
  • George missed games in February and March after being suspended 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game after returning from an Achilles injury.

Paul George

An All-Star forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game after returning from a suspension.

Joel Embiid

The 76ers' star center who averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game but missed time due to an appendectomy.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I remember when I got injured, there was a lot of uncertainty. The playoffs weren't a sure thing, and now that I get that opportunity, I couldn't be more happy.”

— Jayson Tatum, Celtics Forward

“I've had my share of playing Boston with Jayson and Jayen, so I know what to expect. We're playing against winners; we're playing against champions. This is where they play their best basketball. We respect that. But we're going to have to challenge that.”

— Paul George, 76ers Forward

“We know we have to be at our best because they're going to be at their best. Philly's a great team as you saw throughout the season. To get to this point with all the injuries that they've had, and to be where they're at now, it's going to be a tough test for us. We gotta be ready for it.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Head Coach

What’s next

The Celtics and 76ers will play Game 2 of their first-round series on Tuesday, April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated playoff matchup between the Celtics and 76ers features two of the Eastern Conference's top teams, each with star players returning from injuries. The series could come down to which team is healthier and better able to execute in the postseason.