By Tiffany Williams –
The Celtics open their 2025–26 season against the Philadelphia 76ers, and even without Jayson Tatum — and possibly without Jaylen Brown, who’s listed as questionable — Boston’s out to prove they can still bully the East.
Joe Mazzulla’s squad looks different this year. Younger. Faster. Hungrier. The offense won’t lean on isolation — it’ll be all about movement, speed, and chaos.
First quarter: Derrick White will set the tone, running the break and finding Anfernee Simons, the new guy with something to prove. Simons will hit a pair of quick jumpers, Payton Pritchard will drill a three, and Boston’s defense will make Tyrese Maxey work for every inch. The C’s will lead after one, 29–25 — all hustle, no hesitation.
Second quarter: The bench mob will check in and keep the tempo high. Chris Boucher will clean the glass and run the floor, Josh Minott will get dirty in the paint, and Pritchard will heat up again. Without Brown, Boston will spread the ball around — White directs, Simons scores, and Mazzulla’s system hums. The Garden is going to be loud. At the half, Celtics 58, Sixers 53.
Third quarter: Philly will start pounding inside with Embiid, but Boston’s defense will swarm him on every catch. White will attack the rim, Simons will catch fire from midrange, and Boucher will bury a trail three that sends the Garden into a frenzy. Celtics will grind out a physical quarter and stay ahead, 84–79.
Fourth quarter: The crowd will sense blood. White will keep orchestrating — probing, pulling up, punishing mismatches. Simons will hit another dagger from deep, Pritchard will weave through traffic for an acrobatic finish, and Minott will close it with a chase-down block that seals it.
Final: Celtics 112, Sixers 104.
White will lead with 24 points and nine assists, Simons will add 21, and Boucher will chip in 12 and 10 boards. If Brown doesn’t suit up, Boston will show it can win ugly — running, defending, and outworking the opponent.
The blueprint’s simple: speed kills. Boston needs to force the Sixers into mistakes, turn defense into instant offense, and never let Embiid control the tempo.
The message on opening night: with or without their stars, the Celtics still run the Garden — and they’re not slowing down for anyone.