The Philadelphia 76ers, seeded seventh in the Eastern Conference, are gearing up to face off against the Boston Celtics, the second seed in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. It’s expected to be a challenging match for the 76ers, especially since they will be missing their key player Joel Embiid at the start of the series.
History is not favoring the 76ers either, as they have lost 15 out of 22 postseason series against the Celtics, with the Celtics winning the last six matchups. Additionally, the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs has been heavily one-sided in the past seven seasons. Out of the 28 first-round series, only one was tied 2-2 after four games, with the rest being either sweeps or 3-1 results.
With such statistics stacked against them, the 76ers are considered significant underdogs in Game 1 and the series as a whole. The outcome of the series may largely depend on Embiid’s potential return following his recent appendectomy. If he makes a swift and impactful return, the 76ers might have a chance at staying competitive and prolonging the series. However, if his return is delayed or his performance is hindered, the series may be a short one for the 76ers.
(Source: Twitter user @will_nba_hater, April 17, 2026)
For more NBA news and insights, you can also read: “Did Celtics Catch Bad Break With Tricky Playoff Matchup Vs. 76ers?”
