Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Guide: NBA Preseason Rematch
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers conclude their preseason home-and-home on Friday, 16 October 2026, six days after meeting at TD Garden. This complete NBA Match Guide has everything for the return fixture at Xfinity Mobile Arena: tip-off time, updated form, a spicy head-to-head subplot and how to watch live.
Match at a Glance
- Fixture: Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
- Competition: NBA Preseason 2026
- Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
- Tip-off: 7:00 PM ET (00:00 BST Saturday)
- Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena (formerly Wells Fargo Center), Philadelphia, PA
- Tickets: From $25–$27 on resale markets
- Preseason form: Celtics 2-0 | 76ers 1-2
Tonight's Key Fixtures
Boston closes its preseason slate with this trip to Philadelphia, while the 76ers get one final tune-up before opening night. Elsewhere on the Friday card:
| Match | ET Time |
|---|---|
| Timberwolves vs Bulls | 8:00 PM |
| Celtics vs 76ers | 7:00 PM |
| Suns vs Jazz | 10:00 PM |
| Kings vs Lakers | 10:00 PM |
Check NBA.com for the full preseason schedule.
Star Watch
Jayson Tatum — Celtics
Boston's franchise forward has looked sharp in capped preseason minutes, and Joe Mazzulla will want him building rhythm against a conference rival. Tatum's efficiency in 20-25 minute samples has been the quiet story of Boston's 2-0 start.
Tyrese Maxey — 76ers
Philadelphia's engine was rested for Monday's exhibition — expect him back for the home finale. Maxey's burst penetration is the one weapon that consistently stressed Boston's top-ranked defense last season.
Jaylen Brown — Celtics
Averaged 28.6 points per game in 2025-26 and remains Boston's most reliable half-court scorer. Watch how Philadelphia's new-look wing rotation handles his post-ups.
Matchup Analysis
Boston is 2-0 in the preseason and brings continuity: Tatum, Brown, Derrick White and offseason addition Paul George form one of the league's most switchable defensive cores. Neemias Queta has been a camp revelation on the offensive end, giving Mazzulla a genuine third big to evaluate.
Philadelphia sits 1-2 and is still sorting its rotation. The 76ers are managing workloads carefully — Maxey sat Monday for rest — so expect a minutes cap on the stars and heavy run for the roster bubble. Defensive cohesion, not offense, is the coaching staff's October priority.
Head-to-head subplot: Boston won the first two games of last spring's first-round playoff series — then Philadelphia ripped off three straight wins (113-97, 106-93 and a 109-100 Game 5 at home) to seize a 3-2 series lead in one of last season's biggest shocks. That sting is exactly why this preseason rematch carries more edge than most October exhibitions.
Prediction: Celtics 112, 76ers 108. Boston's depth and 2-0 rhythm edge a Philadelphia team on a minutes diet — but if Maxey plays 30 minutes, all bets are off.
How to Watch
| Region | Broadcast | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA (National) | NBA TV | 7:00 PM ET preseason window |
| USA (Local) | NBCS-BOS / NBC Sports Philadelphia | Regional telecasts |
| National / Intl | NBA League Pass | All preseason games |
| Radio | 98.5 The Sports Hub (BOS) | Celtics Radio Network |
Preseason broadcast plans can shift — confirm local listings on game day.
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FAQ
Q: Is Celtics vs 76ers on October 16 a regular-season game? A: No — it's an NBA preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena, tip-off 7:00 PM ET. It's the second preseason meeting between the teams, after October 10 at TD Garden.
Q: Where is the 76ers' home arena now called? A: Xfinity Mobile Arena. The building was renamed from Wells Fargo Center in September 2025.
Q: Who won the playoff series between these teams last season? A: Boston took a 2-0 lead in the first round, but Philadelphia won three straight — including a 109-100 Game 5 at home — to seize a 3-2 series lead in a stunning turnaround.
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