Philadelphia 76ers

Lore & Background

The rivalry began when the Syracuse Nationals and Boston Celtics played in the Eastern Division in the 1950s. The Nationals beat the Celtics in three straight playoff series in 1954, 1955, and 1956, winning the NBA Championship in 1955. After the 1956 season the Celtics traded for Bill Russell and drafted K.C. Jones, and added Tom Heinsohn; the Celtics then won their next three playoff series against the Nationals (1957, 1959, and 1961) before the Nationals were sold and moved to Philadelphia. In 1963, the Syracuse Nationals moved to Philadelphia and became the 76ers. The Celtics and Sixers met in the Eastern Division Finals in 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968, with the Celtics winning in 1965, 1966, and 1968, and the Sixers winning in 1967. After 1969, the teams did not meet in the playoffs until 1977. In 1977, the Sixers eliminated the defending champion Celtics in a tough seven-game Eastern semifinals. The rivalry intensified in the 1980s with Julius Erving and Larry Bird. The Sixers beat Boston in the 1980 Eastern Conference Finals in 5 games. The Celtics beat the Sixers in a classic 7-game Eastern Finals in 1981, coming back from a 3–1 deficit. In the 1982 Eastern Finals, Boston opened the series with a 121–81 blowout; Philadelphia surged to a 3–1 lead, Boston forced Game 7, but Philadelphia won Game 7. In 1985, the Celtics beat the Sixers in the Eastern Finals in five games. Since 1984, the only times the two teams met in the playoffs were in 1985, 2002, 2012, 2018, 2020, 2023, and 2026.

In Their Own Story

The air in the Spectrum was thick enough to chew, a humid mix of sweat, popcorn, and old tension. Julius Erving hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity, his jersey billowing as he prepared to slam it home against the Celtics' wall of green. But before he could descend, a shadow fell across him—not from the lights above, but from the relentless pressure of the Boston defense. The crowd roared, a singular sound of anticipation that vibrated through the hardwood. In this arena, every game was a chapter in an unwritten book of grudges, and tonight, the ink was being written in blood and sweat.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry is defined by multiple playoff meetings across decades, with the Celtics holding a 15–8 advantage in series wins. Key eras include the Chamberlain–Russell matchups in the 1960s, the Dr. J–Bird clashes in the 1980s, and sporadic playoff meetings in the 2000s and 2010s. The 1982 Eastern Finals did occur, with Philadelphia winning Game 7.

Did You Know?

• The Celtics and 76ers have met in 23 playoff series, the most of any NBA rivalry.
• The 1966–67 Sixers were voted in 1980 as the greatest team in NBA history to that point.
• In 1982, Philadelphia won Game 7 of the Eastern Finals, prompting Boston fans to chant 'Beat L.A.'
• The 1983 exhibition game featured three separate fights, and Red Auerbach was fined $2,500 for coming down from the stands.

Historical Origins and Divisional Dominance

The rivalry between Philadelphia and Boston traces its roots back to the Syracuse Nationals era of the 1950s, where the two franchises competed intensely within the Eastern Division. However, the dynamic shifted dramatically after Boston acquired Bill Russell and K.C. Jones following the 1956 season. Upon becoming the 76ers, the team renewed this historic friction, establishing a competitive lineage that would define Eastern Conference basketball for decades. The sheer volume of their postseason encounters is unmatched in league history, with the two teams facing off in twenty-three distinct playoff series, cementing their status as one another's most frequent and formidable adversaries on the court.

The Chamberlain-Russell Era and Championship Shifts

The rivalry entered a legendary phase when Wilt Chamberlain joined the Sixers in 1965, reigniting the intense personal duel between him and Celtics icon Bill Russell. Their first major postseason clash occurred in the 1965 Eastern Division Finals, which concluded with a controversial Game 7 at Boston Garden where a deflected inbound pass allowed the Celtics to secure their seventh straight title. Although Philadelphia finished the following regular season atop the division and saw Chamberlain claim his first MVP award over Russell, Boston defeated them in the playoffs to extend their championship reign. The tide finally turned in 1966-67 under coach Alex Hannum, as a record-breaking Sixers squad swept the Celtics in the Division Finals and captured Philadelphia's first-ever NBA title. This victory ended an eight-year dynasty for Boston. Despite Chamberlain winning another MVP in 1968, the Celtics managed a miraculous comeback from a three-games-to-one deficit to win the series and the championship before Russell eventually retired, leaving a void that would not be filled until nearly a decade later.

The Dr. J and Bird Showdown

A new chapter began when Julius Erving joined the Sixers in 1977, immediately helping Philadelphia eliminate the defending champion Celtics in a grueling seven-game series. The rivalry was reinvigorated in 1980 after Boston drafted Larry Bird, transforming them into a powerhouse that faced the Sixers in the Eastern Conference Finals. While Philadelphia won that initial matchup, the following year produced one of the most dramatic series in NBA history. Despite holding a three-games-to-one lead, the Sixers collapsed as Boston rallied to win Games 5, 6, and 7 by narrow margins, capped by a last-second Larry Bird jumper to claim the title. In a poignant finale at Boston Garden, the Sixers secured victory while their opponents' fans chanted 'Beat L.A.' in support of their rivals against the Lakers, showcasing the deep mutual respect that had evolved between the two franchises.

Legacy and Statistical Supremacy

The statistical footprint of this rivalry is unparalleled in professional sports history. The Celtics and Sixers have met more times in the playoffs than any other pair of teams in the NBA, engaging in twenty-three distinct series throughout their decades-long competition. While Boston holds a significant edge with fifteen series victories compared to Philadelphia's eight, the intensity of these matchups has defined both franchises' identities. The rivalry spans multiple eras, from the early dominance of the Nationals against Russell's Celtics to the epic battles between Chamberlain and Erving against Bird. It is widely recognized as the second-most significant rivalry in the league, trailing only the competition with the Los Angeles Lakers. This enduring conflict has produced countless iconic moments, including dramatic Game 7 finishes, record-breaking regular season performances, and pivotal shifts in championship power that have shaped the trajectory of the NBA for over half a century.