The Boston Celtics will begin their 2026 postseason quest against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The matchup was finalized following Philadelphia’s 109-97 Play-In victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. As the #2 seed, the Celtics hold home-court advantage for the best-of-seven series, which officially tips off on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at TD Garden.
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.
When is Game 1 of the Celtics vs. 76ers series? Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, at 3:30 PM ET. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
How did the 76ers secure the matchup with Boston? Philadelphia entered the Play-In Tournament as the #7 seed and defeated the #8 Orlando Magic. By winning the “Seven-Eight” game, they earned the right to face the #2 seed Celtics, while the Magic must now play an elimination game on Friday to determine the #8 seed.
What is the home-court format for the series? The series follows the standard 2–2–1–1–1 format. Boston will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary) at TD Garden, while Philadelphia will host Games 3, 4, and 6 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Who would the Celtics play in the second round? The winner of the Celtics-76ers series will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face the winner of the (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks matchup.
Track the Title Defense: Interactive NBA Bracket Maker
With the 76ers officially locked in as the first obstacle, the road to the 2026 NBA Finals is now visible. Can the Celtics’ core navigate a physical Philly defense and a potential second-round showdown with the Knicks?
Use the Custom NBA Bracket Maker to:
- Predict the Series: Select the number of games you think it will take for Boston to advance.
- Visualize the East: Map out the entire Eastern Conference side of the bracket, including the final #8 seed determined this Friday.
- Print Your Road Map: Generate a high-resolution PDF to track the Celtics’ progress from the first round through the Finals in June.
