The Boston Celtics edged the Philadelphia 76ers 125-120 in overtime on October 16, 2026, in a thrilling preseason contest. This result caps a perfect 4-0 preseason for Boston, which also includes wins over the Charlotte Hornets, 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. The victory was notable because the Celtics' starting lineup featured players with minimal NBA experience, yet they outworked a Philadelphia team that played its established stars.
Boston's group of reserves and hopefuls showed no fear. They faced a 76ers lineup with nearly 90,000 career NBA points. The Celtics' starters, by contrast, had a combined six career points. But they played with aggression and hustle, out-rebounding Philadelphia 63-46 and forcing 18 turnovers. Those extra possessions led to 16 more shot attempts, which was the difference in a tight game.
Assistant coach Sam Cassell made his Celtics head coaching debut for this game. He was actively engaged on the sideline and helped guide the team back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit. After the game, Cassell explained the thinking behind the unusual lineup. "We wanted to reward these guys," Cassell said. "They pushed our guys in training camp the last three or four weeks and Joe was like let's reward them."
Several players fighting for roster spots made strong cases. Hayden Gray, Milos Uzan, Tucker Devries, and Gabe McGlothan all played important roles in the starting unit. Their collective effort set the tone. They attacked the paint, fought for loose balls, and didn't back down defensively. This game was a clear example of the competitive culture within the Celtics organization, from the top of the roster to its deepest prospects.
The Celtics conclude their preseason schedule with an away game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 2026. After that, the focus shifts entirely to the regular season. The team's perfect preseason run, including a 144-106 blowout of these same 76ers on October 10, has provided valuable evaluation time. Coaches have seen their deep bench compete under pressure, which could inform rotation decisions when the games start to count.
