Celtics vs 76ers Tonight: Live Score, Injury Updates & How to Watch the NBA Showdown

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers renew their fierce Atlantic Division rivalry tonight in Philadelphia, and the stakes already feel higher than a typical early-season clash. Boston (2-3) is searching for consistency while the unbeaten 76ers (4-0) aim to protect their perfect record and seize an early lead in the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup group stage. A quick rewind: on opening night at TD Garden, Philadelphia spoiled the home crowd with a dramatic 117-116 comeback victory. Tyrese Maxey exploded for 40 points and rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe added 34, erasing a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun Boston. That performance vaulted Maxey into the early MVP conversation and put Edgecombe at the front of the Rookie of the Year race. Key storylines to watch 1. Jayson Tatum’s absence An Achilles issue keeps the Celtics’ franchise cornerstone sidelined, meaning Jaylen Brown shoulders the scoring load again. Brown is averaging 28.4 points over his last three outings, but he’ll need help from Derrick White and spark-plug guard Payton Pritchard to keep pace with Philadelphia’s firepower. 2. Maxey vs. White—pace vs. poise Maxey’s blistering 37.5 points per game have come on 45.5 percent shooting from deep. Boston counters with White’s elite perimeter defense and savvy pick-and-roll decision-making. If White can limit dribble-penetration and push the tempo off turnovers, the Celtics can flip the script. 3. Frontcourt battle: Embiid returns to form? Neemias Queta frustrated Joel Embiid in the opener, holding the reigning scoring champ to four points on 1-of-9 shooting. Expect Embiid to demand touches early, especially with veteran Al Horford still easing back from knee soreness and Robert Williams traded last summer. 4. Rookie spotlight Edgecombe’s combination of size, shooting and on-ball creation has transformed Philadelphia’s wing rotation. Boston rookie Jordan Walsh may see extended minutes as Joe Mazzulla looks for a defensive answer on the perimeter. 5. NBA Cup implications Tonight marks Game 1 of Group B play (Detroit, Orlando and Brooklyn round out the pool). A road win would immediately boost Boston’s chances of qualifying for December’s Las Vegas knockout round, while Philadelphia can strengthen its bid to host the quarter-final. How to watch and stream • Date/Time: Friday, October 31, 7:00 p.m. ET • Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia • TV: Amazon Prime Video (national exclusive) • Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (BOS), 97.5 The Fanatic (PHI) • Streaming: Prime Video app, NBA League Pass (blackout rules may apply) Stat to know Boston is 0-3 this season when losing the rebound battle; in its two wins, the Celtics outrebounded opponents by a combined 30 boards. Philadelphia ranks 28th in defensive rebounding percentage, presenting a prime opportunity for Queta and Chris Boucher to control the glass. Prediction With Tatum out and Philadelphia’s home crowd amped, the 76ers enter as 4.5-point favorites. Still, Boston’s bench scoring has surged behind Anfernee Simons, and Embiid remains on a minutes limit. If the Celtics keep Maxey under 30 and win second-chance points, an upset is on the table. Otherwise, expect another high-scoring duel where the Sixers’ backcourt depth tips the balance. Search-friendly takeaway Fans looking for “Celtics vs 76ers live stream,” “Celtics vs 76ers score,” or “how to watch Celtics 76ers tonight” should tune in at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video as Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and the undefeated Sixers host Jaylen Brown’s short-handed Celtics in a pivotal NBA Cup opener.