The 2026 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference first-round series between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers has delivered high-stakes basketball, with both teams trading wins in the opening games. After the Celtics took Game 1 at home with a 123-91 victory, the 76ers responded in Game 2 with a dominant 111-97 win, fueled by a standout performance from rookie guard VJ Edgecombe and veteran Tyrese Maxey. The series has shifted to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4, with tipoffs scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on both Friday, April 24 and Sunday, April 26.
Game 2 marked a turning point in the series, as the 76ers overcame an early deficit to seize control through superior three-point shooting and timely baskets in the second half. According to the game recap, VJ Edgecombe led all scorers with 30 points and added 10 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey contributed 29 points, combining for 59 of Philadelphia’s 111 points. Their backcourt dominance proved too much for Boston to contain, especially as the Celtics struggled to defend the perimeter in the latter stages of the game.
The Celtics, who entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the East after finishing the regular season with a 56-26 record, had relied on Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to carry the offense during Jayson Tatum’s absence due to an Achilles injury. Although Tatum returned in time for the postseason, Boston has yet to regain the consistency that defined their mid-to-late season surge, during which they won 13 of their final 16 games. In Game 1, Tatum scored 22 points with 12 rebounds and 8 assists, but his impact was less pronounced in Game 2, where Boston’s offense stagnated against Philadelphia’s aggressive defensive schemes.
Game 3 is set to take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, broadcast nationally on Prime Video beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will be available for streaming through the Prime Video platform, with no additional login required for subscribers. This marks the first of two consecutive home games for the 76ers, who look to build on their Game 2 momentum before the series returns to Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET, which will be aired on ESPN and the ESPN app.
Should the series extend to a Game 6, it would be played in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 30, with timing and broadcast details to be determined (TBD). A potential Game 7 would return to Boston on Saturday, May 2, also listed as TBD pending necessity. The NBA has not yet confirmed whether Games 6 and 7 will be required, as the series remains tied at one win apiece heading into Philadelphia.
Broadcast coverage for the series is being distributed across multiple platforms under the NBA’s current media rights agreement. In addition to Prime Video for Game 3, NBC, Peacock, and the ESPN app are slated to carry various games throughout the round. Viewers can access live streams via DIRECTV, the ESPN app, Peacock, and Prime Video, depending on the game’s assigned broadcaster. These options reflect the league’s effort to expand accessibility while maintaining national exposure for playoff matchups.
The Celtics and 76ers last met in the playoffs in 2023, when Boston defeated Philadelphia in seven games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals. That series was notable for the Celtics’ resilience after dropping the first two games at home, ultimately rallying behind strong performances from Tatum and Brown. This year’s rematch carries added significance as both teams aim to validate their roster constructions — Boston with its two-way depth and Philadelphia with its backcourt-led attack led by Maxey, Edgecombe, and Paul George.
As the series progresses, adjustments will be critical. Boston may look to increase defensive pressure on Maxey and Edgecombe in the half-court, while also seeking to improve transition defense, which was exploited in Game 2. Philadelphia, meanwhile, will aim to sustain its offensive rhythm and continue attacking the Celtics’ closeouts, particularly when Edgecombe is operating off screens or in isolation situations.
Fans seeking real-time updates, official scores, and video highlights can visit NBA.com’s dedicated playoffs section, which provides live stats, play-by-play tracking, and postgame analysis. The site also offers access to condensed game recaps and player interviews, ensuring global audiences remain informed regardless of time zone.
The winner of this series will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they will face either the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons series or the New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat matchup, depending on outcomes in other brackets. As of now, no further playoff pairings have been confirmed beyond the first round.
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