Heading into the Game 1 matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, the NBA legend Charles Barkley shot it straight: he has little faith in Philadelphia’s chances of pulling off an upset.
Before the game tipped off on Sunday, Barkley explained his thoughts going into the series. Despite being a fan of the team that drafted him back when he played, Barkley isn’t watching the series with rose-colored glasses.
“The biggest problem for the Sixers is they don’t have their mismatches,” Barkley said before the game.
“When you’re an underdog, you’re normally like that team’s better, but we have somebody who’s good. But if you look at Philadelphia, Maxey and Edgecombe, and Paul George. Okay, [the Celtics] got Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. That’s a problem, right there. So that’s the biggest problem. Like, normally, when you’re an underdog team, you can say, okay, you know what? We got an advantage here. But the three best players on the Sixers, they’re going against Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. I wish I could have some hope, because, you know, I’m a 76ers and Suns fan, but this is going to be rough.”
The Sixers Came Out As Expected
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 3: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 3, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Unfortunately for the Sixers, Charles Barkley’s instincts were correct.
Not once did the 76ers pose a threat to Boston on Sunday for Game 1. The Sixers landed a 21-point effort from Maxey, who also dished out eight assists.
The veteran Paul George shot 4-8 from the field and 8-9 from the free-throw line to score 17 points in 28 minutes.
As for VJ Edgecombe, the rookie’s debut would last 34 minutes. He accounted for 13 points, going 6-16 from the field, missing all five of his shots from deep.
On the other side, Tatum logged a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Brown accounted for 26 points, shooting 11-21 from the field.
The Celtics destroyed the Sixers 123-91.
When Can The Sixers Get A Shot At Bouncing Back?
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 15: Paul George #8 talks to Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Orlando Magic at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 15, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Sixers have another battle in Boston before they can return home.
The 76ers and the Celtics will be back in action on Tuesday, April 21, for a 7 PM ET tip.
At the start of the series, the 76ers expectedly rolled without Joel Embiid, who underwent surgery recently. His status for the series remains up in the air. With or without Embiid, the 76ers are in a tough spot. The Celtics continue to prove they are one of the toughest teams in the NBA.
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