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The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers is one of the oldest in the NBA’s history, and the two teams will write another chapter on Saturday night.
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.
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.
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.
STREAM: Watch Game 7 between the Celtics and 76ers live on Peacock
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.
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.
The winner of this game will move on to the second round and take on the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals. The loser, however, will get an early start on its offseason.
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.
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Celtics vs. 76ers updates, highlights from Game 7 of 2026 NBA playoffs first round
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.
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.
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.
PAYTON PRITCHARD GIVES BOSTON THE LEAD.
CELTICS ON A 22-6 RUN IN THE 2Q. pic.twitter.com/d2FhdaIKsj
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026
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.
8:17 p.m.: Boston continues to scratch and claw against the Sixers defense, as a Payton Pritchard bucket cuts the lead to five.
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.
HERE COMES THE CELTICS!
Derrick White tough bucket.
Neemias Queta strong drive.
12-4 RUN… BOSTON IS ON THEIR FEET 👏 pic.twitter.com/aXRmNHLiLw
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026
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.
End of first quarter: 76ers 32, Celtics 19
8:02 p.m.: After one quarter, Philadelphia has a 13-point lead. The Sixers have fully controlled the game so far.
Joel Embiid got creative on this shot! 👀@sixers lead after the 1st quarter of Game 7!
Winner will face NYK in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google. pic.twitter.com/MKHcxpP04r
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2026
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.
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.
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.
PG RACK ATTACK 💥
STRONG START FOR PHILLY! pic.twitter.com/6ytYdmzpU4
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2026
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.
7:36 p.m.: We are underway live from TD Garden! The Sixers win the tip.
7:20 p.m.: The Sixers are going with their same starting lineup from Game 6.
tonight’s starters:
🔔 @TyreseMaxey
🔔 @vj_edgecombe
🔔 @JoelEmbiid
🔔 @KELLYOUBREJR
🔔 @Yg_Trece @Toyota pic.twitter.com/xAXVGXpZZu
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 2, 2026
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.
Starters for Game 7️⃣@DraftKings pic.twitter.com/iR1uWxYR8Y
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 2, 2026
6:40 p.m.: Joe Mazzulla said he and the medical staff made the Tatum decision for the star forward.
Jayson Tatum’s knee discomfort developed today after Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla said Friday he would play in Game 7. pic.twitter.com/keRhEXyXk8
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 2, 2026
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.
Paul George and Joel Embiid remain probable for the 76ers, but it sounds like both will be good to go.
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) May 2, 2026
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.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum is OUT for Game 7 tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers with a left leg injury.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2026Where to watch Celtics vs. 76ersCeltics vs. 76ers start timeDate: Saturday, May 2Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
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.
Celtics vs. 76ers TV ChannelTV Channel: NBCLive stream: Peacock
NBC will have the broadcast of Celtics vs. 76ers after the network’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday night, while Peacock 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.
Celtics vs. 76ers schedule 2026DateGameTimeTV ChannelApril 19Game 1: Celtics 123, 76ers 91—-April 21Game 2: 76ers 111, Celtics 97—-April 24Game 3: Celtics 108, 76ers 100—-April 26Game 4: Celtics 128, 76ers 96—-April 28Game 5: 76ers 113, Celtics 97—-April 30Game 6: 76ers 106, Celtics 93—-May 2Game 7: Celtics vs. 76ers7:30 p.m.NBC, Peacock