Where to watch Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers? Time and TV Channel for LeBron James's NBA preseason game
Boston continues its preparation against a Sixers team that arrives in strong form
The curtain rises on the 2026 NBA Preseason for the Boston Celtics at home against a heavyweight opponent: the Philadelphia 76ers , an Eastern Conference classic that always generates excitement even when the games do not count in the actual season standings.
It is the first tune-up outing for the Massachusetts team on its home court, while Philadelphia arrives with game rhythm and a convincing victory already in its pocket.
Celtics vs 76ers: Time and how to watch the preseason game
The matchup between Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers is scheduled for the night of Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (7:00 p.m. Central Time and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time).
You can watch the preseason game between the Boston and Philadelphia teams live on the following channels:
Streaming service: YouTube TV and Fubo
Pre-game overview: two teams arriving in different moments
The difference in context between the two is clear when looking at the 2026 NBA Preseason standings. The Philadelphia 76ers have already made their debut, and they did so emphatically: a 120-97 victory.
That offensive ease —they came close to 120 points— is the best possible calling card for a team that wants to fine-tune its chemistry before the official start.
The Boston Celtics come in without any previous reference point in this exhibition campaign. It is the typical first-game scenario: minutes spread around, long rotations, and the opportunity for coaches and fans to see for the first time how the pieces fit together ahead of the regular season.
Although it's the preseason, a Celtics vs 76ers game is never just any game. They are two of the most decorated and tradition-rich franchises in the Eastern Conference, and every matchup between them carries decades of rivalry.
In October, the score matters little; what is really at stake is the rhythm, the chemistry of the rotations, and the physical condition heading into the start of the regular campaign.
For Philadelphia, the goal will be to build on the good offensive feelings from their opener and confirm that production was not a mirage against a more battle-tested opponent. For Boston, the challenge is more basic but just as valuable: shake off the rust, find fluency on offense and gauge their defensive resilience against a team that already showed the ability to score in volume.
What is the prediction for the preseason game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers?
With one game already played and a 23-point victory, the Philadelphia 76ers come in with the advantage of having some rhythm against a Boston Celtics team making its cold debut. In the preseason, that factor—having legs and competitive timing already built up—usually carries more weight than pure talent, especially in the opening minutes.
However, home-court advantage and the motivation of a home debut could tip the balance in Boston's favor as the game progresses.
The realistic outlook is a closely contested, high-scoring matchup, with the Sixers slightly favored due to their better level of preparation. But, as always in October, the result will matter the least: what matters is how both teams look as they head into a regular season that tips off just around the corner.
