From the Archives: The Celtics Problem Predates the 76ers…

By the 76ers Nightly Desk · Thursday, October 15

Philadelphia lost 106-144 at Boston on October 10 and plays the Celtics again October 16. The score fits a rivalry that predates the 76ers name itself.

76ers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Why does this Celtics rematch carry more weight than a preseason game should?

Boston has been Philadelphia's hardest opponent since before the move south: as the Syracuse Nationals, the franchise lost a quadruple-overtime game to Boston in 1953 that remains the longest in NBA history, and the Celtics repeatedly ended Nationals and 76ers seasons in the division finals through the 1950s and 1960s. Co-owner Ike Richman died of a heart attack courtside at Boston Garden on December 3, 1965. The 106-144 loss on October 10 fits that pattern exactly.

What actually happened on this date in 76ers history?

Twice, in fact. On October 15, 1966, Philadelphia beat the Knicks 128-112. On October 15, 1980, the 76ers won 119-111 at the Nets, a few years before the 1983 title built around Julius Erving and Moses Malone. This year, October 15 is a quiet day between preseason games, with the Celtics rematch set for October 16.

Does the 1963 naming contest still say anything about this roster?

When Walter Stalberg won the contest to rename the Philadelphia team in 1963, he tied it to the city's Revolutionary history by picking '76ers.' Six decades later, the roster defending that name costs $213.2 million, above the first apron, led by Joel Embiid's $58.1 million and Jaylen Brown's $57.1 million contracts. The name was free. The scorers are not.

Is this summer's trade with Boston the modern version of the Chamberlain deal?

Philadelphia traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Lakers after the 1967-68 season for Archie Clark, Darrall Imhoff and Jerry Chambers. This July, the 76ers sent Paul George and two first-round and two second-round picks to the very team they play Friday, Boston, for Jaylen Brown. Four picks out for one star in is a bet this franchise has made before, just with a different kind of player going out the door.

What's the cautionary lesson from the 2001 Finals loss to the Lakers?

Allen Iverson's 76ers reached the Finals in 2001 and lost in five games to Los Angeles, the last time this franchise got that close to a title. Daryl Morey was fired on May 12 after a second-round sweep by the Knicks, and Bob Myers now runs basketball operations on an interim basis. Twenty-five years later, getting back to that stage is still the question hanging over Embiid, Maxey, Brown and James.

The verdictThe Sixers' Boston problem predates the '76ers' name by a decade, and Friday's rematch after a 38-point beatdown is just the newest entry. The bigger gamble, four picks sent to that same team for Jaylen Brown, is the one that actually decides whether this era ends with a banner or another five-game Finals loss.

When do the 76ers play the Celtics again this preseason?

October 16, 2026, on NBA TV, a rematch after Philadelphia lost 106-144 in Boston on October 10.

What happened to 76ers co-owner Ike Richman at Boston Garden?

Richman died of a heart attack courtside during a game at Boston Garden on December 3, 1965, during an era when the Celtics repeatedly ended Philadelphia's seasons in the playoffs.