The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers stands as one of the most storied and enduring clashes in NBA history. Dating back to the early days of the league, Sixers and Celtics have engaged in epic battles that have left an indelible mark on the sport.
The intense rivalry peaked during the 1980s when Larry Bird's Celtics and Julius Erving's 76ers waged legendary playoff wars. Both the teams led by their fierce leaders captivated fans with their enthusiasm. The matchups between these two Eastern conference powerhouses are filled not only with individual brilliance but also a clash of contrasting styles and team philosophies.
The Celtics and 76ers faced each other in several iconic playoff series over the years. In the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Boston Celtics were down 3-2 against the formidable 76ers, but then the Celtics orchestrated a remarkable comeback, ultimately securing a 4-3 series triumph. At the heart of this triumph was Jayson Tatum, who made NBA history with a scintillating 51-point performance in Game 7. Tatum's breathtaking display not only secured the victory for the Celtics but also etched his name in NBA history for the most points in a Game 7, surpassing the mark set by Stephen Curry just two weeks earlier.
In the most recent playoffs of 2023, the Celtics eliminated the Sixers in the second round on their way to the Eastern Conference NBA Finals. Both the teams will be again facing each other on May 1 for their way to the Finals.
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Head to Head Record Statistics
Celtics vs 76ers Regular Season Head to Head
Celtics vs 76ers Playoffs Head to Head
Boston Celtics Vs Philadelphia 76ers 2023/24 Rosters
In terms of the current rosters, the Boston Celtics have a talented lineup that includes players such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford. The Philadelphia 76ers also have a strong roster, featuring players like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris.
Philadelphia 76ers’ Roster
Boston Celtics’ Rosters
Boston Celtics Vs Philadelphia 76ers Head to Head
In the regular season, the Celtics and Sixers have faced each other 463 times, with the Celtics winning 267 games and the Sixers winning 196 games.
The two teams have met in the playoffs 22 times, with the Celtics winning 13 series and the Sixers winning 9. Their most recent playoff series was in the second round of the 2018 NBA playoffs, with the Celtics winning the series 4-1. The Celtics were led by young stars like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and All-Star Kyrie Irving while the Sixers were led by their All-Star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The Celtics' defensive prowess and greater depth helped them to win and advance into the Eastern Conference finals consecutively for the second year.
Both Eastern Conference giants faced each other in the conference semifinals of 2023, with the series going to 7 games yet against and the Celtics emerged victorious.