The Boston Celtics are currently competing in the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference First Round playoffs, facing a familiar rival in the Philadelphia 76ers. After a dominant regular season performance that secured them the #2 seed in the conference, the team is now focused on navigating the opening bracket of the postseason. As of late April 2026, the series has moved into a critical phase with the Celtics holding a 2-1 lead following a hard-fought victory in Game 3.

Upcoming Boston Celtics Playoff Schedule

The immediate focus for the Celtics remains the Philadelphia 76ers. The schedule for the remainder of the first round is set to determine which team advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

  • Game 4: Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Philadelphia (7:00 PM ET)
  • Game 5: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, vs. Philadelphia at TD Garden (7:00 PM ET)
  • Game 6 (If Necessary): To be determined, at Philadelphia
  • Game 7 (If Necessary): To be determined, vs. Philadelphia at TD Garden

The schedule follows the standard 2-2-1-1-1 format, ensuring that the Celtics maintain home-court advantage for a potential Game 7 due to their superior regular-season record.

Results of the 2026 Eastern Conference First Round to Date

The series began at TD Garden, where the Celtics demonstrated the efficiency that defined their 56-26 regular season.

Game 1: Boston 123, Philadelphia 91

Boston opened the series with a decisive victory at home. The team’s offensive rating peaked during the second quarter, utilizing a high-frequency three-point shooting strategy that overwhelmed the Philadelphia perimeter defense. The Celtics' ability to limit turnovers was a deciding factor in this matchup.

Game 2: Philadelphia 111, Boston 97

The 76ers responded in Game 2, stealing home-court advantage momentarily. Philadelphia’s defensive adjustments restricted Boston’s ball movement, forcing several late-clock contested shots. This loss marked a rare instance during the 2026 campaign where Boston was held under 100 points at TD Garden.

Game 3: Boston 108, Philadelphia 100

Played on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia, Game 3 was a physical encounter. Boston regained the series lead through a disciplined defensive performance in the fourth quarter. By controlling the defensive glass and converting transition opportunities, the Celtics managed to silence the home crowd and reclaim the momentum.

Historical Regular Season Context for 2025-2026

To understand the Celtics' current playoff trajectory, it is essential to examine the 82-game journey that led to the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The 2025-2026 season was characterized by statistical dominance and historical shooting efficiency.

Early Season Momentum (October - November 2025)

The season opened on October 22, 2025, with a narrow loss to the Philadelphia 76ers (117-116), a precursor to their current playoff clash. Despite a slow 0-3 start following road losses in New York and Detroit, the team found its rhythm in late October with a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

By November, the Celtics had stabilized their rotation. Significant wins included a 136-107 victory over the Washington Wizards and a hard-fought 111-107 win in Orlando. Throughout this period, the team began to lead the league in few turnovers per game, a metric that remained a core strength throughout the year.

Winter Dominance (December 2025 - January 2026)

December saw the Celtics achieve a high level of consistency, finishing the month with several high-scoring performances. They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 126-105 on December 5 and swept a crucial home-and-home series against the Indiana Pacers in late December.

The momentum carried into January 2026. The Celtics recorded a historic victory against the Toronto Raptors on December 31, 2024, winning 125-71. This 54-point margin was one of the largest in franchise history. In mid-January, the team secured significant road wins against the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks, solidifying their position at the top of the Atlantic Division.

The Record-Breaking February Performance

February 2026 was a month of offensive milestones for Boston. On February 27, against the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics recorded the highest effective field-goal percentage (.808) and true shooting percentage (.826) in NBA history during a 148-111 win. The team shot 66.7% from the field and set a franchise offensive rating record of 159.1.

During this month, the defensive unit also reached its peak. The team held opponents to 100 points or fewer in a league-leading number of games, driven by high-frequency contested shots and a top-five defensive rating.

Key Statistical Benchmarks of the 2025-2026 Squad

The 2026 Celtics were defined by specific statistical profiles that made them one of the most efficient teams in the modern era.

  1. Turnover Management: Boston consistently led the NBA with the fewest turnovers per game, averaging approximately 12.3. This discipline prevented opponents from generating easy fast-break points.
  2. Three-Point Volume: The team’s strategy revolved around spacing and high-volume perimeter shooting. In multiple games, they recorded over 20 made three-pointers while maintaining a percentage above 60%.
  3. Defensive Versatility: The roster featured multiple players capable of recording both steals and blocks at a high rate. For instance, the defensive unit produced the first Celtic since the 2007-08 season to record over 75 steals and 75 blocks in a single campaign.
  4. Bench Production: The 2025-2026 season saw significant contributions from the second unit. In a March game against Portland, bench scoring reached a season-high 43 points from a single reserve player, highlighting the depth available to the coaching staff.

Venue and Broadcasting Information

For fans following the 2026 schedule, the broadcasting landscape has evolved. The 2025-2026 season marked the return of the "NBA on NBC," with the Celtics featuring in several high-profile matchups, including a road game at the Lakers in February and home dates with the Knicks.

Additionally, Amazon Prime Video became a primary carrier for Friday night matchups and specific holiday games, such as the December 26 clash against the Indiana Pacers. National broadcasts on ESPN and TNT continued to cover the majority of the playoff schedule.

The Celtics' home games are held at TD Garden in Boston, a venue where the team maintained a 26-11 home record during the regular season. Away games in the current series take place at the Spectrum Center in Philadelphia.

How the 2026 Celtics Compare to Recent Seasons

The 56-26 record in 2025-2026 represents a slight shift from the 61-21 record of the 2024-2025 season. While the win total was slightly lower, the 2026 team showed improved advanced metrics in late-game situations and defensive rotations. The 2025 playoffs saw the Celtics reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals before falling to the New York Knicks in six games. The 2026 squad aims to surpass that milestone by returning to the NBA Finals.

The current winning streak of 50 or more games over five consecutive seasons is the longest such streak for the franchise since the 1979-1980 through 1987-1988 era. This sustained excellence has established Boston as the primary contender in the Eastern Conference alongside the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.

Boston Celtics 2026 Playoff FAQ

What is the current status of the Celtics vs. 76ers series?

As of April 25, 2026, the Boston Celtics lead the Philadelphia 76ers 2-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round.

When is the next Celtics game?

Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. The game will be played in Philadelphia.

Where can I watch the Celtics playoff games?

Playoff games are broadcast on national networks including NBC, ESPN, TNT, and streamed via Amazon Prime Video. Local broadcasts may also be available on regional sports networks.

What was the Celtics' regular-season record in 2025-2026?

The Celtics finished the regular season with a 56-26 record, earning the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Who has home-court advantage in the first round?

The Boston Celtics hold home-court advantage because they are the higher seed (#2) compared to the Philadelphia 76ers. This means Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary) are played at TD Garden.

Summary of the 2026 Playoff Outlook

The Boston Celtics enter the final stretch of April 2026 in a strong position. With a 2-1 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, the team is two wins away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Their success is built on a foundation of historical shooting efficiency, league-leading turnover control, and a defensive identity that has held opponents to under 100 points in over 20% of their games this season. As the series returns to Boston for Game 5, the Celtics remain the statistical favorites to advance, provided they maintain the offensive rhythm displayed in Game 1 and the defensive discipline shown in Game 3.