- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Photo: ajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Team logos via ESPN.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia Sixers 125-120 in overtime Friday night at South Philadelphia, wrapping up the 2026-27 preseason for both clubs.
Four of five regular starters appeared for the Sixers, though top pick VJ Edgecombe sat out for rest, coach Nick Nurse said. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope filled in for Edgecombe in the starting lineup. The starters remained on the court into the third quarter before exiting.
Joel Embiid led all scorers with 27 points on 7-for-13 shooting, adding eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes. After a mixed opening half, Embiid turned it up after halftime, operating a two-man game with Tyrese Maxey. Maxey finished with 22 points, six assists and three rebounds on 7-for-11 shooting.
LeBron James made his South Philadelphia debut, recording eight points, eight rebounds and seven assists in just under 25 minutes. James ran two-man sets with both Maxey and Labaron Philon Jr.
Jaylen Brown paced Boston with 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Brown had 14 points by halftime on 5-for-11 shooting. Brown, Edgecombe and James each earned one Preseason Bell Ringer vote.
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).