The Boston Celtics enter the 2026 NBA Playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. They will face the winner of the 7/8 Play-In game (Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic) in the First Round. Game 1 is officially scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET at TD Garden and will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Here’s the 2026 Boston Celtics playoff schedule and NBA printable bracket for you to follow.
Celtics First Round Playoff Schedule 2026
Here’s what the first round 2026 NBA playoff schedule looks like for the Celtics.
Note: Times for Games 2–7 are currently TBD by the NBA. Projected times are based on typical Celtics afternoon/primetime windows on ABC and ESPN.
| Game | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Network |
| Game 1 | Sun, April 19 | 7-Seed @ Celtics | 1:00 PM | ABC |
| Game 2 | Tue, April 21 | 7-Seed @ Celtics | 7:00 PM (Projected) | TNT/ESPN |
| Game 3 | Fri, April 24 | Celtics @ 7-Seed | 7:30 PM (Projected) | Prime Video |
| Game 4 | Sun, April 26 | Celtics @ 7-Seed | 1:00 PM (Projected) | ABC |
| Game 5* | Tue, April 28 | 7-Seed @ Celtics | TBD (Projected) | TBD |
| Game 6* | Thu, April 30 | Celtics @ 7-Seed | TBD (Projected) | TBD |
| Game 7* | Sun, May 3 | 7-Seed @ Celtics | 1:00 PM (Projected) | ABC |
Potential First Round Opponents
Because the Celtics are the No. 2 seed, they avoid the “do-or-die” 8-seed bracket and will face the winner of the high-stakes game on Wednesday, April 15:
- Scenario A: If the 76ers beat the Magic, the Celtics face Philadelphia.
- Scenario B: If the Magic beat the 76ers, the Celtics face Orlando.
- The Advantage: Boston has home-court advantage for the entire first round (and likely through the Eastern Conference Finals).
NBA Playoff Resources
- Download Printable 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket (PDF)
- How to Watch: Prime Video Play-In Streaming Guide
- 2026 Philadelphia 76ers Playoff Schedule
- 2026 LA Lakers Playoff Schedule
FAQ: Boston Celtics Road to the Finals
Question: When is the Celtics first playoff game? Answer: The Celtics play Game 1 of the first round on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET.
Question: Who will the Celtics play in the 2026 Playoffs? Answer: Boston will play the winner of the 76ers vs. Magic Play-In game. That opponent will be determined on Wednesday night, April 15.
Question: Is the Celtics playoff game on NBC Sports Boston? Answer: No. Starting in 2026, all NBA playoff games are nationally exclusive. The Celtics first round will air on ABC, ESPN, and Prime Video.
