The Boston Celtics had a 3-1 series lead in the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers last season. When Boston went up 3-1 in that series, many people didn’t expect Philadelphia to come back. Well, the 76ers came back from 3-1 down against the Celtics. This sent shockwaves across the NBA landscape.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 02: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks over Luka Garza #52 and Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jayson Tatum did not play in Game 7. Jaylen Brown was the primary guy on the team all season long. During the off-season, Brown was traded to the 76ers for Paul George. This was a major shakeup that Brad Stevens decided to make. Not only did Philadelphia get Brown this off-season, but they also signed LeBron James as well to a two-year, $8 million contract. The 76ers will be one of the favorites to win it all next season.
NBA Analyst Believes That the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers is the Top NBA Rivalry Entering the 2026-2027 NBA Season
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Zach Kram of espn.com covers the NBA. He wrote about the Top 10 rivalries to watch out for as the 2026-2027 NBA season approaches. Kram thinks that the number one rivalry in the league next season will be Boston and Philadelphia. He said,
“The Celtics and 76ers are the most frequent playoff rivals throughout NBA history. The two franchises have met in 23 playoff series all time, which is well ahead of the second-most-frequent matchup (15 meetings between the Knicks and Celtics).
But in recent seasons the rivalry seemed to be fading because it had grown so one-sided: Until this spring, the 76ers hadn’t eliminated Boston since 1982. On the other side of the ledger, the Celtics knocked out Philadelphia in 1985, 2002, 2012, 2018, 2020 and 2023.
That changed this past season, however. First, the 76ers came back from a 3-1 deficit in the first round to stun the Celtics, who were favored not only to beat Philadelphia again, but to return to the Finals. Then, the 76ers traded for longtime Celtic Jaylen Brown, a former Finals MVP for Boston. And finally, they signed James in free agency.Those transactions in particular add fascinating wrinkles to an already heated rivalry. Presumably, when the two teams meet this season, Brown and Jayson Tatum will spend plenty of time guarding each other as teammates turned rivals. James also folds in his own lengthy individual rivalry with the Celtics, whom he faced in playoff series in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2018; the NBA’s all-time scoring leader experienced arguably the best and worst moments of his career against Boston in the playoffs.
At long last, the NBA’s most frequent rivalry is once again its fiercest, as well.”
It is going to be interesting to see what kind of reception Brown is going to get when he returns to Boston next season. He did lead them to an NBA title in 2024 and was also Finals MVP that year. It feels weird that Brown and Tatum won’t be together anymore. This could be like when Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors. It was interesting when Durant faced Russell Westbrook.
The same could happen when Brown and Tatum face off. As for George, how will he be received by the 76ers fanbase when returning to Philadelphia? That is something that remains to be seen. It would not be a surprise if the Celtics and the 76ers played in the playoffs once again this season.
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