Celtics Dominate Sixers in Playoff Matchup

Boston's Tatum leads the way as Philadelphia faces another postseason defeat against its rival.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 12:36am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, with the players' movements and the intensity of the game captured through sharp, overlapping geometric planes and the teams' official colors used to distinguish the two sides.The Celtics' continued playoff dominance over their longtime rivals the Sixers is captured in a fractured, cubist-inspired illustration.Philadelphia Today

The Boston Celtics have taken an early lead in their playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, continuing a recent trend of postseason dominance over their longtime rivals. Led by star forward Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have controlled the action so far, putting the Sixers on the brink of yet another series loss between the two Eastern Conference powerhouses.

Why it matters

The Celtics and Sixers are two of the NBA's most historic franchises, with a long-standing rivalry dating back decades. Philadelphia's inability to get past Boston in the playoffs has become a source of frustration for the team and its fans, as the Sixers seek to finally break through against their nemesis and make a deep postseason run.

The details

In the opening games of the series, Tatum has led the Celtics' charge, putting up dominant performances and getting key contributions from his supporting cast. The Sixers have struggled to find answers, with their star players unable to match Tatum's impact. The series has followed a familiar pattern, with Boston's superior execution and coaching giving them a clear advantage over their division rival.

  • The series began on April 15, 2026.
  • Game 2 is scheduled for April 17, 2026.

The players

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' star forward and one of the NBA's premier players, leading Boston's charge in the series.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers are the longtime rivals of the Celtics, seeking to finally break through and defeat Boston in the playoffs after numerous previous failures.

Boston Celtics

One of the NBA's most successful franchises, the Celtics have dominated the Sixers in recent postseason matchups and are looking to continue that trend.

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What they’re saying

“We know what's at stake against these guys. They've had our number, but this is our chance to finally get over the hump.”

— Joel Embiid, Sixers Center

“Jayson has been incredible, but we know this series is far from over. We have to keep our foot on the gas and not let up against a tough Philadelphia team.”

— Ime Udoka, Celtics Head Coach

What’s next

Game 3 of the series will be played in Philadelphia on April 19, 2026, as the Sixers look to get back into the series on their home court.

The takeaway

The Celtics' continued dominance over the Sixers in the playoffs has become a source of frustration for Philadelphia, which has struggled to find a way to overcome its longtime rival. However, the series is still early, and the Sixers will have a chance to turn the tide on their home floor in the next game.