- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Boston's reserves and deep bench defeated Philadelphia's full starting five 125-120 in overtime during a preseason matchup.
The Celtics overcame a 14-point third-quarter deficit in Sam Cassell's head coaching debut. Cassell, who served as a 76ers assistant from 2020 to 2023 before joining Boston in June 2023, said he wanted to reward his players and noted that starting for the Celtics carries significance.
Philadelphia's starters entered with 89,240 combined career points, while Boston's starting five totaled six, all from Hayden Gray. Despite the disparity, Boston out-rebounded Philadelphia 63-46, attempted 16 more shots, and forced 18 turnovers.
Milos Uzan scored 14 points and delivered an overtime dagger as the shot clock expired to create a seven-point lead. Tucker DeVries added nine points, six rebounds, and two steals, hitting three three-pointers in the fourth quarter to give Boston its first lead after the deficit. Gray finished with seven points, seven assists, and three steals. Hugo Gonzalez led the Celtics with 21 points.
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).