The NBA didn't really need a reason to add more hype to the Philadelphia 76ers' upcoming clash against the Boston Celtics, but they have the perfect setup for Tuesday's action.
Thanks to a Sixers win on Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Bulls, and a Celtics victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, the league is getting the Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum drama as a first seed versus second seed battle this week.
Since the 76ers played one more game than the Celtics, their 9-2 record gives them sole possession of the Eastern Conference's top spot. The Celtics are off to an 8-2 start, so they are alone with the second seed, having recently passed the Detroit Pistons.
76ers-Celtics gives the NBA an intense November battle
There aren't any true barometer matchups before the new year, but the 76ers have a chance to silence plenty of critics momentarily on Tuesday night.
Despite holding the East's best record, the Sixers have struggled to convince NBA fans that they are truly championship-caliber. Whether it's the strength-of-schedule argument or the analytical concerns regarding their half-court offense, the 76ers have given their biggest critics some ammo for debates about their start.
The Celtics are a recent NBA champion and have one of the top homegrown stars in the league with Jayson Tatum. Although the 76ers knocked the Celtics out of the playoffs in round one just last season, the Jaylen Brown trade was a reset button for Boston. Of course, that storyline will dominate headlines and overshadow the No. 1 versus No. 2 factor for Tuesday.
Both sides are going to get a chance to show how their new-look squads match up, now that they swapped notable players. Brown was a key player for the Celtics over the past decade, but Boston felt like it was time to move on after the 2026 playoff run. Since joining the Sixers, Brown has averaged 22.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, while shooting 39.2% from three.
The 76ers acquired Brown to replace Paul George, who had an underwhelming two seasons with the team. Injuries and a long suspension in season two prevented George from finding consistency due to his lack of availability. He played in just 78 games over two seasons. When he was on the court, he produced averages of 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, well below max-level value. Since joining the Celtics, George has been a much better version of himself.
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