Match previewBasketball
NBA showdown: Philadelphia 76ers host Boston Celtics in early-season clash
The Philadelphia 76ers face the top-ranked Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena on 16 October, with the Celtics unbeaten so far this season.
Automated analysis by Golatooo
Key facts
- Competition
- NBA
- Date
- Friday, 16 October 2026
- Start time (UTC)
- 23:00
- Venue
- Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia
- TV / streaming
- NBA TV (United States)
NBA action returns to Philadelphia
Friday, 16 October 2026, sees the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics meet once again in an NBA regular-season fixture. The game kicks off at 23:00 UTC at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. This contest offers a chance for the 76ers to bounce back after a challenging start, while the Celtics aim to maintain their perfect record.
Standings and recent form
After three games played, the Boston Celtics sit atop the NBA standings in first place, boasting a flawless record of three wins and zero losses. They have scored 382 points while conceding 312, giving them a healthy goal difference of plus 70. In contrast, the Philadelphia 76ers occupy 11th position, having won just one of their three outings. They have scored 334 points but allowed 355, leaving them with a goal difference of minus 21.
Looking at their recent five-match form, the Celtics have won all five games, scoring 639 points and conceding 538. Their average points scored per game stand at 127.8, with 107.6 allowed. The 76ers have had a mixed run, winning three and losing two of their last five. They have scored 565 points and conceded 555, averaging 113 points for and 111 against per game.
Head-to-head history favours the Celtics
The two teams have met twice this season so far, with the Boston Celtics winning on both occasions. The most recent meeting was on 11 October 2026 at Boston’s home court, where the Celtics secured a dominant 144-106 victory. Earlier on 2 March 2026, the Celtics also came out on top with a 114-98 win over Philadelphia. Across these meetings, a total of 462 points were scored, highlighting the offensive firepower on display. The 76ers will be keen to reverse this trend as they host the Celtics in Philadelphia.
Where to watch
Fans in the United States can catch all the action live on NBA TV. The match promises high intensity given the stakes and recent form of the two sides.
Where the teams stand
| # | Team | P | W | L | GF | GA | GD | W-L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Celtics | 3 | 3 | 0 | 382 | 312 | +70 | 3-0 |
| 2 | Miami Heat | 4 | 3 | 1 | 525 | 476 | +49 | 3-1 |
| 3 | Atlanta Hawks | 4 | 3 | 1 | 478 | 475 | +3 | 3-1 |
| 4 | Brooklyn Nets | 4 | 3 | 1 | 497 | 464 | +33 | 3-1 |
| 5 | Detroit Pistons | 3 | 2 | 1 | 345 | 327 | +18 | 2-1 |
| 11 | Philadelphia 76ers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 334 | 355 | -21 | 1-2 |
Recent form
| Team | Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia 76ers | 11 Oct | Boston Celtics | A | 106-144 | L |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 8 Oct | Brooklyn Nets | A | 108-114 | L |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 5 Oct | New York Knicks | H | 120-97 | W |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 12 Apr | Milwaukee Bucks | H | 126-106 | W |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 10 Apr | Indiana Pacers | A | 105-94 | W |
| Boston Celtics | 14 Oct | Charlotte Hornets | H | 114-93 | W |
| Boston Celtics | 11 Oct | Philadelphia 76ers | H | 144-106 | W |
| Boston Celtics | 8 Oct | Cleveland Cavaliers | A | 124-113 | W |
| Boston Celtics | 12 Apr | Orlando Magic | H | 113-108 | W |
| Boston Celtics | 10 Apr | New Orleans Pelicans | H | 144-118 | W |
Head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Oct | Boston Celtics | 144-106 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2 Mar | Boston Celtics | 114-98 | Philadelphia 76ers |
Written automatically from match data and reviewed by automated checks.
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