Celtics Overcome Massive Depth Disadvantage to Beat 76ers in Preseason Finale originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA preseason wrapped up on Friday night, and the Celtics headed to Philadelphia to play the 76ers for the second time this preseason.
If the last week and a half of games for Boston is any indication of what's to come during the regular season, then the Celtics could be in for a great year.
Most fans take preseason results with a grain of salt, but the Celtics proved why that logic can't be used in the case of their clash with the 76ers on Friday night, because of one big elephant in the room.
Celtics Overcome Massive Depth Disadvantage to Beat 76ers in Preseason Finale
On Friday, the Celtics sat nearly all of their top players in their preseason finale, while the 76ers started most of the regulars we'll see in their starting lineup this upcoming season.
Not only did Philly start Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey, but they also played them 24+ minutes.
MORE: NBA GMs Reveal Where They Believe Celtics Will Finish in the East
The Boston Celtics beat the Super Team Philadelphia 76ers with this Starting Lineup https://t.co/gSQ1pc1hLf
— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) October 17, 2026
Notable players out from both teams:
- Jayson Tatum (BOS)
- Derrick White (BOS)
- Payton Pritchard (BOS)
- Mitchell Robinson (BOS)
- Sam Hauser (BOS)
- Paul George (BOS)
- Neemias Queta (BOS)
- Mike Conley (BOS)
- Devin Carter (BOS)
- VJ Edgecombe (PHI)
- Dominick Barlow (PHI)
- Anfernee Simons (PHI)
- Ariel Hukporti (PHI)
- Adem Bona (PHI)
- Tacko Fall (PHI)
The cherry on top was that the Celtics allowed Sam Cassell to coach tonight, while head coach Joe Mazzulla took the night off.
The Celtics' star player of the night was Hugo Gonzalez, who had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in a little under 20 minutes.
MORE: Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Snubbed in GM Survey Despite Reigning COTY Status
Other notable stats include Ron Harper Jr.'s 16 points and rookie Chris Cenac Jr. scoring 12 points and 8 rebounds in 19 and a half minutes.
Joel Embiid had a game-high 27 points in 29 minutes on the court, while Jaylen Brown had a statline of 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks in his first game against his former team.
MORE: Celtics’ New Addition Named Among NBA’s Most Underrated Acquisitions
The starters for Philly didn't play much down the stretch, as both teams' bottom halves of the rotation dueled it out in a game that went to overtime, with the Celtics eventually grabbing a 125-120 win.
The Celtics ended the preseason with a perfect 4-0 record, and their regular season kicks off in Detroit on Tuesday afternoon, as the Celtics play the Pistons.