How To Watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics: Sunday Night Basketball Guide
The scheduled matchup on March 1, 2026, between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics represents a critical juncture in the 2025-26 NBA regular season, serving as the fourth and final meeting between these Atlantic Division rivals.
This game carries immense historical weight, marking the 591st meeting between the two franchises, an NBA record for the most games played between any two teams in league history. The competitive tension is heightened by the current season series, in which Philadelphia holds a 2-1 advantage, having secured victories in their first two encounters in late 2025 before Boston claimed a narrow one-point win during the NBA Cup in October. As the league enters the post-All-Star break stretch, the implications for Eastern Conference seeding are significant; the Celtics are currently fighting to maintain the second seed and chase the top-ranked Detroit Pistons, while the 76ers are looking to solidify their position in the top six and avoid the Play-In Tournament.
The Boston Celtics enter this contest as one of the most statistically dominant teams in professional basketball, currently holding a 39-20 record. Their season has been defined by a historic offensive efficiency, recently highlighted by a record-setting performance against the Brooklyn Nets where the team achieved an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 80.8%, the highest ever recorded in an NBA game. Despite the continued absence of All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, the Celtics have maintained their elite status through the MVP-caliber play of Jaylen Brown and a defensive system that ranks first in the league, allowing only 107.5 points per game. The team's reliance on high-volume perimeter shooting-ranking third in the league with 15.4 made three-pointers per game-has made them a formidable matchup for any defense.
The Philadelphia 76ers arrive in Boston with a 33-26 record, demonstrating remarkable resilience amidst a season plagued by frontcourt injuries. The core of their current success is centered on the rapid ascent of Tyrese Maxey, who has transitioned from a secondary scoring option to a legitimate primary engine, currently tied for fourth in the NBA in scoring at 29.1 points per game. However, the team faces a significant hurdle as former MVP Joel Embiid remains sidelined with a right oblique strain, an injury that has forced the 76ers to pivot toward a more perimeter-oriented attack. With secondary stars like Paul George also facing availability issues due to suspension, Philadelphia has leaned on youth and veteran depth, including rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe and rebounding specialist Andre Drummond, to maintain their competitive edge in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race.
NBA (Sunday Night Basketball)
Philadelphia 76ers (Away) vs. Boston Celtics (Home)
Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET
TD Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)
How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics online - national and local U.S. TV channels & live streams
Fans looking to catch the action between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics on Sunday, March 1, 2026, have several viewing options across traditional broadcast, cable, and digital streaming platforms. The primary national broadcast will air on the NBC network, marking the center-piece of the "Sunday Night Basketball" franchise that returned to the airwaves this season as part of the NBA's landmark $11$-year media rights agreement. The broadcast is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET, featuring the lead commentary team of Mike Tirico on play-by-play, Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford as analysts, and Zora Stephenson reporting from the sidelines at TD Garden. For those who prefer Spanish-language coverage, the game will be televised simultaneously on Telemundo.
Digital access is primarily facilitated through Peacock, NBCUniversal's flagship streaming service, which will provide a live simulcast of the NBC broadcast nationwide. Peacock rs can also access enhanced viewing features, such as "Peacock Performance View," which integrates real-time advanced analytics and player tracking data directly into the stream. For local viewers within the teams' home markets, regional sports networks (RSNs) will provide additional coverage; the game is available on NBC Sports Philadelphia for fans in the 76ers' territory and NBC Sports Boston for those in the New England area. Furthermore, the game can be streamed via virtual providers such as TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream, all of which carry the NBC broadcast network.
How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics internationally
If you are outside of the USA, the NBA game between Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics should be available to livestream with an NBA League Pass.
Please be aware that livestream rights vary by country and depend on local broadcast deals. NBA games that aren't shown live on NBA League Pass are usually later made available on-demand.
Stream internationally on League Pass
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.
