Celtics-76ers playoff series revives iconic NBA rivalry

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, two pillars of East Coast sports separated by less than 300 miles, are set to meet again in the playoffs. This time, the Celtics and 76ers face off in the first round, with a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals on the line.

It marks the fourth time in the last nine years that the NBA revisits one of its fiercest and most historic rivalries. Arguably the league’s greatest, even beyond the iconic Celtics-Lakers clash. While that rivalry represents an East vs. West, coast-to-coast cultural divide, Celtics-76ers is something more local. An Atlantic battle, a war between neighbors.

A rivalry renewed

This matchup might have seemed unlikely earlier in the season, but it had been building for weeks in a wide-open Eastern Conference where neither team entered as a clear favorite.

The Celtics, however, have been one of the most consistent teams all year. What was supposed to be a transitional “gap year” turned into another run as a serious contender - perhaps the favorite? - to come out of the East and return to the NBA Finals just two years after winning their 18th championship.

Despite major roster changes and a significant reduction in payroll, Boston has remained among the league’s elite. Much of that success hinges on Jayson Tatum, who returned late in the season and played 16 games to get back into rhythm ahead of the playoffs.

The 76ers arrive through the play-in tournament after eliminating the Orlando Magic. As always, their hopes revolve around the health of Joel Embiid.

The former MVP has played just 38 games this season, once again battling injuries, this time including an appendicitis that has complicated his availability for the playoffs. There’s a chance he could return mid-series, possibly around Game 4, but his status remains uncertain.

When healthy, Embiid is still a dominant force. Alongside Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, plus emerging talent like rookie VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers have a roster capable of competing at the highest level.

The problem is consistency. For years, Philadelphia has shown flashes of brilliance without sustaining them, leaving the team stuck in a cycle of promise and disappointment. They haven’t reached the Conference Finals since 2001.

The Celtics and 76ers have one of the deepest shared histories in NBA playoff lore. From Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain, to Larry Bird vs. Julius Erving, to more recent battles featuring Paul Pierce and Allen Iverson, this rivalry has defined entire eras of basketball.

Boston holds the overall edge, leading the all-time playoff series 15–7 and having won the last six matchups. Their dominance includes iconic moments like the 1965 series, sealed by John Havlicek’s legendary steal, immortalized in the famous call: “Havlicek stole the ball!”

The origin of “Beat L.A.”

One of the most enduring traditions in NBA culture also traces back to this rivalry.

During the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals, Celtics fans began chanting “Beat L.A.” as their team fell to the 76ers in Game 7. With Boston eliminated, they turned their attention to their ultimate rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, urging Philadelphia to finish the job.

The chant stuck, and remains one of the most recognizable in all of sports.

History meets present

Between them, the two franchises have won 21 championships and appeared in 29 NBA Finals. Their playoff battles have spanned generations, from the early days of the league to the modern era.

Now, in 2026, a new chapter begins. The Celtics enter as a model of stability and success. The Sixers arrive as a team full of talent, but also questions. What happens next will add another page to one of the NBA’s most storied rivalries.

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