For decades, the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers rivalry has been a cornerstone of NBA history—yet it's been a remarkably one-sided affair. While this classic matchup has produced unforgettable moments from the era of Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell to today's battles between Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, the Celtics have held the upper hand for generations.
In fact, the 76ers hadn't defeated Boston in a playoff series since 1982—until their breakthrough in 2026. That's 44 years of waiting. Let's take a trip back to that historic 1982 Eastern Conference Finals, the last time Philadelphia truly silenced the Celtics.
The 1982 series was the third straight postseason meeting between these two titans. The top-seeded Celtics, led by Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Cedric Maxwell, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge, and Tiny Archibald, looked unstoppable. But the third-seeded 76ers, powered by the legendary Julius "Dr. J" Erving and the dynamic backcourt of Andrew Toney and Maurice Cheeks, had other plans.
Boston struck first with a devastating 121-81 victory in Game 1—a game forever known as the "Mother's Day Massacre." Larry Bird recorded a triple-double, and the Celtics seemed invincible. But Philadelphia refused to fold. Andrew Toney erupted for 30 points in Game 2 and followed it up with 39 points in Game 4, helping the 76ers storm back to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Just when it looked like the series was over, Boston showed its championship pedigree. Robert Parish's 26 points in Game 5 and Bird's all-around brilliance forced a Game 7. The Celtics had all the momentum, but the 76ers held their nerve in a classic winner-take-all showdown. Philadelphia closed out the series and advanced to the NBA Finals, where they would ultimately fall to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Since that 1982 triumph, the Celtics and 76ers have met in the playoffs seven more times—and Boston has won six of those series. The 2026 playoff victory finally broke that decades-long drought, making the 1982 series a cherished piece of Philadelphia basketball lore. For fans of the game, it's a reminder that even the most one-sided rivalries can flip in an instant—especially when you're wearing the right gear.