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The rivalry between the Boston Celtics<\/a> and Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> is one of the oldest in the NBA’s history, and the two teams will write another chapter on Saturday night.<\/p>\n After the Celtics took a commanding 3-1 lead over the 76ers, Philadelphia bounced back with two straight victories to force Game 7. It will be the first Game 7 of the 2026 NBA playoffs. These two teams have played plenty of winner-take-all games previously, so this is just another in a long line of historic moments.<\/p>\n Many analysts believed the Celtics entered the playoffs as the favorites out of the Eastern Conference despite being the No. 2 seed. Jaylen Brown had a career-best season, while Jayson Tatum returned late in the year after recovering from an Achilles injury.<\/p>\n However, Boston’s depth isn’t as strong as it has been in the past, since it shuffled its roster before the season in what many expected to be a transition year. Therefore, the Celtics are even more dependent on players like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to advance.<\/p>\n STREAM: Watch Game 7 between the Celtics and 76ers live on Peacock<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, the 76ers appear to be getting healthy at the right time. Star center Joel Embiid missed a substantial period of time after having appendicitis but returned in the middle of the series and had two strong games in Games 5 and 6. Additionally, Tyrese Maxey has played like a star and the best player in the series against the Celtics.<\/p>\n Besides the two stars, Paul George is playing his best basketball as a 76er, as the veteran has been a strong defender and a complementary offensive player. Other Philadelphia role players include Kelly Oubre and VJ Edgecombe, the latter of whom already looks like a young cornerstone.<\/p>\n The winner of this game will move on to the second round and take on the New York Knicks<\/a> in the conference semifinals. The loser, however, will get an early start on its offseason.<\/p>\n The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates and highlights from Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first round between the Celtics and 76ers. Follow along for full updates from Boston.<\/p>\n NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:\u00a0Live NBA scores<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NBA playoff schedule<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NBA playoff bracket<\/a><\/p>\n Celtics vs. 76ers live score<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Celtics vs. 76ers updates, highlights from Game 7 of 2026 NBA playoffs first round<\/p>\n 9:30 p.m.: Boston has cut the lead to six points to force a Sixers timeout. Brown has 28 points while White has 23 for the home team.<\/p>\n 9:28 p.m.: The Celtics get five quick points to begin the fourth and get the crowd back into the game. Embiid is back in the game for Philly.<\/p>\n End of third quarter: 76ers 88, Celtics 75<\/p>\n 9:23 p.m.: With Embiid off the floor, Boston is able to get within 13 points after three quarters.<\/p>\n 9:17 p.m.: Philly has its largest lead of the night at 18 points thanks to some beautiful basketball and a few threes.<\/p>\n That was TOUGH, PG!<\/p>\n A couple dribbles. \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 9:15 p.m.: Trainers appear to be looking at Embiid’s right side as the center is now out of the game.<\/p>\n 9:10 p.m.: The Sixers have an 11-point lead while the Celtics have gone cold from three.<\/p>\n 9:06 p.m.: Brown is now guarding Embiid with such a small lineup on the floor. Embiid has taken advantage but Boston’s been scrappy.<\/p>\n Joel Embiid: IN TAKEOVER MODE.<\/p>\n 27p (game-high), 10r, and 6a for the @sixers<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/IcJDudbStb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 9:03 p.m.: With Queta and Brown in foul trouble, and Vucevic apparently benched, Mazzulla is going with no center on the floor.<\/p>\n 8:58 p.m.: The Sixers came out hot as an 8-0 run has Philly up by 11, forcing a Boston timeout.<\/p>\n VJ Edgcombe & Tyrese Maxey: GETTIN’ BUCKETS \ud83e\udea3<\/p>\n EDGECOMBE: 15 PTS, 6-10 FGM Sixers still in front early in the 3Q of Game 7! pic.twitter.com\/rPh9d6ZkF2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 8:55 p.m.: The second half is underway with Queta hitting a layup for two points.<\/p>\n Halftime: 76ers 55, Celtics 50<\/p>\n 8:37 p.m.: Embiid stonewalls Jaylen Brown’s dunk attempt at the end of the half, leading to a Maxey bucket the other way. Sixers have a five-point lead at the break.<\/p>\n block \u27a1\ufe0f bucket pic.twitter.com\/QRT2JPT15a<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 8:36 p.m.: Embiid continues to draw fouls as he has seven free throw attempts in the second quarter alone.<\/p>\n 8:33 p.m.: Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez has been very physical for Boston thus far, as he’s picked up three fouls in 10 minutes.<\/p>\n 8:26 p.m.: The Sixers have weathered the storm to retake the lead by five points. Embiid is a +11 on the night, as Boston doesn’t seem to have an answer for him.<\/p>\n 8:19 p.m.: The Celtics take their first lead of the night on a Payton Pritchard three. Boston has outscored Philly 18-4 in the second quarter.<\/p>\n PAYTON PRITCHARD GIVES BOSTON THE LEAD.<\/p>\n CELTICS ON A 22-6 RUN IN THE 2Q. pic.twitter.com\/d2FhdaIKsj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 8:18 p.m.: Derrick White has been outstanding, scoring 16 points to lead all scorers. Boston needed him to show up and so far he’s delivered.<\/p>\n 8:17 p.m.: Boston continues to scratch and claw against the Sixers defense, as a Payton Pritchard bucket cuts the lead to five.<\/p>\n 8:10 p.m.: The Sixers are forced to call timeout after the lead is cut to seven on a Queta layup. The TD Garden is loud for the first time tonight.<\/p>\n HERE COMES THE CELTICS!<\/p>\n Derrick White tough bucket. 12-4 RUN… BOSTON IS ON THEIR FEET \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/aXRmNHLiLw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 8:08 p.m.: Hugo Gonzalez has provided a defensive spark as Boston tries to chip away. The margin is now nine points with Jaylen Brown on the bench.<\/p>\n End of first quarter: 76ers 32, Celtics 19<\/p>\n 8:02 p.m.: After one quarter, Philadelphia has a 13-point lead. The Sixers have fully controlled the game so far.<\/p>\n Joel Embiid got creative on this shot! \ud83d\udc40@sixers<\/a> lead after the 1st quarter of Game 7!<\/p>\n Winner will face NYK in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/MKHcxpP04r<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:56 p.m.: The Sixers have extended their lead to 12 thanks to nine points from VJ Edgecombe. Boston is noticeably struggling on offense thus far.<\/p>\n 7:52 p.m.: Tyrese Maxey just picked up his second foul, which could be huge moving forward. The Celtics are trying to tread water until someone can lead a charge.<\/p>\n 7:46 p.m.: Philly has an early 13-6 lead, taking advantage of Boston’s makeshift starting lineup. All five Sixers starters have scored.<\/p>\n PG RACK ATTACK \ud83d\udca5<\/p>\n STRONG START FOR PHILLY! pic.twitter.com\/6ytYdmzpU4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:41 p.m.: The Sixers are off to a hot start, as they scored nine points before Derrick White’s three breaks the ice for Boston.<\/p>\n 7:36 p.m.: We are underway live from TD Garden! The Sixers win the tip.<\/p>\n 7:20 p.m.: The Sixers are going with their same starting lineup from Game 6.<\/p>\n tonight\u2019s starters:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd14 @TyreseMaxey<\/a> \u2014 Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:15 p.m.: The Celtics completely change dup their starting lineup with Tatum out. Scheierman, Harper Jr. and Garza all get the starts instead of Tatum, Hauser and Queta.<\/p>\n Starters for Game 7\ufe0f\u20e3@DraftKings<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iR1uWxYR8Y<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 6:40 p.m.: Joe Mazzulla said he and the medical staff made the Tatum decision for the star forward.<\/p>\n Jayson Tatum’s knee discomfort developed today after Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla said Friday he would play in Game 7. pic.twitter.com\/keRhEXyXk8<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 6:15 p.m.: Paul George and Joel Embiid were on the 76ers’ injury report, but it doesn’t seem like either will miss this game.<\/p>\n Paul George and Joel Embiid remain probable for the 76ers, but it sounds like both will be good to go.<\/p>\n \u2014 Noa Dalzell \ud83c\udfc0 (@NoaDalzell) May 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 5:45 p.m.: In a shocker, the Celtics declared Jayson Tatum out for tonight’s game. Tatum was originally not on the injury report, but was a late addition as questionable early Saturday afternoon with a left leg injury.<\/p>\n Boston’s Jayson Tatum is OUT for Game 7 tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers with a left leg injury.<\/p>\n \u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2026<\/a>Where to watch\u00a0Celtics vs. 76ersCeltics vs. 76ers start timeDate: Saturday, May 2Time: 7:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n Celtics vs. 76ers will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2 live from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It will be the only basketball game of the day, so all eyes will be on Game 7.<\/p>\n Celtics vs. 76ers TV ChannelTV Channel: NBCLive stream:\u00a0Peacock<\/a><\/p>\n NBC will have the broadcast of Celtics vs. 76ers after the network’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday night, while Peacock<\/a> will have a live stream of the game as well. Noah Eagle, Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford will have the call of the game from Boston.<\/p>\n
Stepback.
SPLASH. pic.twitter.com\/69euLotaIo<\/a><\/p>\n
MAXEY: 13 PTS, 6-9 FGM<\/p>\n
Neemias Queta strong drive.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udd14 @vj_edgecombe<\/a>
\ud83d\udd14 @JoelEmbiid<\/a>
\ud83d\udd14 @KELLYOUBREJR<\/a>
\ud83d\udd14 @Yg_Trece<\/a> @Toyota<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xAXVGXpZZu<\/a><\/p>\n