2026 Playoff Matchup Context And Schedule
The postseason clash marked the 23rd playoff meeting between the two franchises, setting an NBA record for the most frequently played postseason rivalry, according to scheduling data published by 97.3 ESPN. Philadelphia entered the best-of-seven series as the seventh seed, while Boston held the second seed. The schedule opened with the first two games in Boston on Sunday, April 19, and Tuesday, April 21, before shifting to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4 on Friday, April 24, and Sunday, April 26, according to 97.3 ESPN.
The teams split their four regular-season games evenly at 2-2, with Philadelphia winning on opening night in Boston and again on November 11 at home, per 97.3 ESPN records. However, the playoff meeting carried significantly different rosters. Boston arrived with strong momentum after winning six of their final seven regular-season games, bolstered by the return of Jayson Tatum to the lineup, according to 97.3 ESPN reporting. Conversely, the seventh-seeded Sixers advanced past the Orlando Magic behind 31 points and six assists from Tyrese Maxey in a 109-97 win, but played much of the series without Joel Embiid, who underwent appendicitis surgery the prior Thursday, according to 97.3 ESPN.
Reliving The Series Through Podcast Coverage
To revisit the upset, the organization launched a special podcast series breaking down the games across five episodes, starting with Games 1 and 2, followed by Games 3 and 4 in the second week, and concluding with single-game episodes for the final three contests. Fans can access the games via active NBA League Pass subscriptions, a one-week free trial available through Amazon Prime, or alternative viewing methods curated by team staff.
Did You Know? The 2026 first-round series marked the first postseason meeting between Philadelphia and Boston since their seven-game series in 2023, and the first time the Sixers defeated the Celtics in a playoff series since the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals, according to 97.3 ESPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Sixers beat the Celtics in the 2026 playoffs?
The Philadelphia 76ers completed their first-round series in May 2026 after overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Boston Celtics.
How can fans re-watch the 2026 playoff series?
Fans can re-watch the games using an active NBA League Pass subscription, a one-week free trial through Amazon Prime, or alternative team-provided viewing resources.
What was the regular-season record between the Sixers and Celtics?
The two teams split their four regular-season games 2-2, with Philadelphia winning on opening night in Boston and on November 11 in Philadelphia, according to 97.3 ESPN.
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