Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers

Anticipation is building in Philadelphia as the Boston Celtics prepare to face the 76ers on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and the matchup carries extra intrigue with both teams dealing with significant absences. The rivalry between these Eastern Conference contenders always delivers intensity, but this meeting comes with both squads navigating lineup adjustments and looking to stabilize their form in the early stages of the season.

Philadelphia enters the night without its cornerstone, Joel Embiid, who remains out with right knee soreness. His absence drastically alters the 76ers’ interior presence on both ends of the floor. Additionally, Paul George continues to recover from a knee issue, while Dominick Barlow and Johni Broome are sidelined with elbow and ankle injuries, respectively. That means coach Nick Nurse will once again turn to his younger rotation players to fill the gaps — notably Ricky Council IV and Paul Reed, who will be asked to provide rebounding and defensive energy in the paint. For Boston, the challenge is no less daunting: Jayson Tatum is still sidelined after undergoing Achilles surgery, while Sam Hauser’s wrist injury has limited his availability, forcing more minutes for Oshae Brissett and Jordan Walsh.

Without their leading scorers, both coaching staffs have had to rethink their tactical plans. Joe Mazzulla is expected to emphasize ball circulation and spacing, with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White taking on greater offensive loads. Boston’s attack will depend heavily on pace and three-point execution, an area where they’ve been inconsistent in recent outings. Defensively, the Celtics are expected to mix switching schemes to contain Tyrese Maxey’s drives, knowing that Philadelphia will try to stretch them with perimeter movement. On the other side, Nick Nurse plans to push the tempo, relying on Maxey’s quickness to ignite early offense while spreading the floor with shooters like Buddy Hield. The absence of Embiid will likely mean a faster, more transition-oriented approach for the 76ers.

Press coverage leading up to tip-off has framed this game as a battle of resilience. For Boston, headlines have focused on how the team can maintain its identity without Tatum, especially against a divisional rival known for its physicality. Philadelphia’s local media, meanwhile, has spotlighted the leadership of Maxey and Hield as they shoulder the offensive responsibilities in Embiid’s absence. Analysts have also pointed to the historical tension between these teams — the Celtics have dominated the recent meetings, but the 76ers are eager to prove they can win even when short-handed. The tone around the matchup suggests that whoever adapts quicker to their personnel limitations could seize early control.

In studio discussions, analysts have zeroed in on several tactical details that could define the night. Boston’s perimeter defense will be under scrutiny, particularly how they handle Maxey’s explosive first step and pick-and-roll actions. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s ability to rebound and defend the paint without Embiid is being questioned, as Boston’s bigs — particularly Kristaps Porziņģis — could find more freedom to operate inside. Some commentators believe this will be a close, grind-it-out contest where bench efficiency becomes the deciding factor. The general consensus heading into the game is that Philadelphia’s home crowd could play a key role in energizing a short-handed squad, while Boston’s discipline and veteran presence may give them just enough edge to pull off a crucial road win.

Watch and Download Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers – Tuesday 11 November, 2025, NBA Full Game and Highlights Replay 2025-2026 – NBA Regular Season.

Golden State Warriors vs Oklahoma City Thunder