Celtics and 76ers Primed for Playoff Showdown

Celtics' Tatum returns from injury, Sixers' Maxey steps up as teams meet in Eastern Conference playoffs

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, with the players' forms broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color, capturing the intensity and energy of the playoff matchup.The Celtics and 76ers' playoff clash is a battle of Eastern Conference contenders overcoming key injuries and challenges.Boston Today

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are set to face off in the Eastern Conference playoffs, with both teams overcoming key injuries and challenges to reach this point. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum's return from an Achilles injury, earned the No. 2 seed, while the 76ers have relied on the breakout season of Tyrese Maxey. The series promises an exciting matchup between two of the East's top contenders.

Why it matters

This playoff series between the Celtics and 76ers features two of the Eastern Conference's top teams, both of whom have overcome significant obstacles to reach this point. The Celtics' title defense was upended by Tatum's injury, while the 76ers have persevered through Embiid's absence. The winner of this series will be well-positioned to make a deep playoff run.

The details

The Celtics were one of the biggest surprises of the regular season, earning the No. 2 seed despite Tatum missing all but 16 games due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Jaylen Brown has carried the team in Tatum's absence, posting career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists. The 76ers, meanwhile, have relied on the breakout season of Tyrese Maxey, who became the team's career 3-point leader and an All-Star starter. Maxey vowed to the veteran Kyle Lowry last May that the 76ers would return to the playoffs, and he has delivered on that promise.

  • Tatum returned to the court just over a month ago after nearly 10 months of rehabilitation.
  • The 76ers beat the Orlando Magic in the play-in game to secure their playoff berth.

The players

Jayson Tatum

A six-time All-Star for the Boston Celtics who is returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him for all but 16 games of the regular season.

Jaylen Brown

The Celtics' star player who has carried the team in Tatum's absence, posting career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists.

Tyrese Maxey

The Philadelphia 76ers' breakout star this season, becoming the team's career 3-point leader and an All-Star starter.

Joel Embiid

The 76ers' star big man who is still recovering from an appendectomy and is expected to miss the start of the playoff series against the Celtics.

Kyle Lowry

The veteran guard for the 76ers who is expected to retire at the end of the season.

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What they’re saying

“I think more of a sense of gratitude than ever. Not that I took it for granted. But when something is taken away from you, it just means a little bit more.”

— Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics star

“Nobody's successful by themselves. It takes a group, it takes a village and a lot of this is like, where you were drafted. The teammates you've gone to war with. So I'm thankful, tenfold, for that. ... Getting injured just kind of made me cherish each moment.”

— Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics star

“I said there's no chance that I'm going to not be in the playoffs next year.”

— Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers guard

“I love Philly fans, man. I'm going to be so honest, man, it was loud. The intensity, the physicality, it was great. That's the type of game I live for. Physical, the crowd's involved. I couldn't ask for a better, like, debut-kind of playoff experience, kind of. It was great. I enjoyed every moment of it.”

— V.J. Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers rookie

What’s next

The Celtics and 76ers will tip off their playoff series on Sunday, with the 76ers expected to be without star center Joel Embiid, who is still recovering from an appendectomy. The winner of this series will be well-positioned to make a deep playoff run in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

This playoff matchup between the Celtics and 76ers features two teams that have overcome significant challenges to reach this point. The Celtics' title defense was upended by Tatum's injury, while the 76ers have persevered through Embiid's absence. The series promises an exciting clash between two of the East's top contenders, with the winner poised to make a deep playoff run.