76ers and Celtics Set for Playoff Clash

The two storied franchises will meet in the postseason for the 13th time.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:15pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant red, blue, white, and green colors.The storied rivalry between the 76ers and Celtics will be on full display as the two teams clash in the NBA playoffs.Philadelphia Today

The Philadelphia 76ers have clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs, setting up a highly anticipated matchup with their longtime rivals, the Boston Celtics. The two teams have faced off in the postseason 12 times previously, with the Celtics holding a 9-3 series advantage.

Why it matters

The 76ers-Celtics rivalry is one of the most storied in the NBA, with the two teams meeting in the playoffs numerous times over the decades. Their latest clash will pit two of the Eastern Conference's top teams against each other, with the winner advancing deeper into the postseason.

The details

The 76ers secured their playoff berth with a win on April 15th, while the Celtics have been a fixture in the postseason for years. The two teams will meet in the first round, with the series schedule to be announced in the coming days.

  • The 76ers clinched their playoff spot on April 15, 2026.
  • The 76ers and Celtics will meet in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs.

The players

Philadelphia 76ers

An NBA franchise based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that has won 3 NBA championships.

Boston Celtics

An NBA franchise based in Boston, Massachusetts that has won a record 17 NBA championships.

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What they’re saying

“The Sixers-Celtics rivalry is one of the best in sports. These two teams have a long history of epic playoff battles, and I expect this year's matchup to be no different.”

— Charles Barkley, NBA Analyst

“We're excited for the challenge of facing the Celtics. They're a tough, well-coached team, but we feel confident in our ability to compete with them and advance to the next round.”

— Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers Center

What’s next

The NBA will announce the full first-round playoff schedule in the coming days, including the dates, times, and TV information for the 76ers-Celtics series.

The takeaway

The 76ers-Celtics playoff matchup is a clash of two of the NBA's most storied franchises, with a history of epic postseason battles. Fans can look forward to an intense and highly competitive series as these two teams vie for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.