The Boston Celtics (2-3) visit the undefeated Philadelphia 76ers (4-0) tonight at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philly.
Paul George has yet to suit up for the Sixers, but Philadelphia is already surpassing expectations, entering the second week of the season with a perfect record. Their schedule hasn’t been the toughest — this is their second meeting with Boston, and they’ve also faced the struggling Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, and the up-tempo Charlotte Hornets — but they’ve closed out wins.
A major reason? The Sixers’ offense is on fire. They lead the NBA in scoring at 129.3 points per game (126.0 per 48 minutes), powered by Tyrese Maxey’s explosive start. Maxey is averaging 37.5 points per game, a massive leap from his already elite production over the past two seasons.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe has been another revelation, averaging 22.3 points while showing off both elite athleticism and defensive versatility. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes are each adding around 18 points per game, giving Philadelphia a deep, balanced attack.
Amid all this, Joel Embiid is still ramping up to full strength. He’s already rested one game and is averaging just over 20 minutes per night.
Philadelphia’s real test of how they’ll fare in the East will come next week when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers. But tonight’s matchup against Boston should still be a useful measuring stick.
The Sixers edged the Celtics by just one point in the season opener. And Boston looks sharper now.
The Celtics are coming off a dominant 20-point win over Cleveland on Wednesday, fueled by their trademark combination of three-point shooting and defense — all without Jayson Tatum.
They held the Cavs to 40.2% from the field while attempting 57 threes of their own and making 37% of them. Boston won every key statistical battle: rebounding, shooting efficiency, turnovers, and free throws. Jaylen Brown led with 30 points, while Sam Hauser provided a spark off the bench with 21.
Predictions
On paper, the Sixers have the edge, but they can’t afford complacency. Boston’s disciplined system and top-10 defense (rating 111.2) keep them in every game, and if their perimeter shooting stays consistent, they could hand Philadelphia its first loss.
Prediction: Celtics 118, 76ers 113
Injury Report
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum — Out (right Achilles repair)
Philadelphia 76ers
Paul George — Out (knee)
Jared McCain — Out (thumb)
Dominick Barlow — Out (elbow)
How to Watch Celtics vs 76ers
Tip-off for tonight’s Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers game is set for 7:00 PM Eastern at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
This game will not air on NBC Sports Philadelphia or NBC Sports Boston. It airs exclusively on Amazon Prime Video here.
If you’re not an Amazon Prime member, you can watch the game for free by signing up for a free 30-day trial here. Amazon also offers a Prime plan for young adults ages 18-24 at half price here.
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
TV/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video