The Boston Celtics are gearing up to kick off their 2025-26 NBA season against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, but they’re facing a crisis right out of the gate. According to the latest injury reports, the Celtics could be without three key players, while the 76ers, led by a healthy Joel Embiid, are poised to capitalize on Boston’s misfortune.
The Celtics are reeling from a brutal injury report. Six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum, the heart and soul of the team, is confirmed to miss the opener as he continues to recover from surgery in May to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. Adding to the turmoil, four-time All-Star swingman Jaylen Brown has been downgraded to questionable with a left hamstring strain, casting doubt on his availability. The absence of these two stars alone is a massive blow to Boston’s championship aspirations. Additionally, a third unnamed Celtic is also reportedly sidelined, further thinning an already depleted roster for opening night.
On the other side, the Philadelphia 76ers are entering the season with a golden opportunity to exploit Boston’s weaknesses. For the first time in recent memory, 2023 MVP Joel Embiid is healthy and ready to dominate on opening night. The 7-foot center, known for his unstoppable presence in the paint, is licking his chops at the prospect of facing a shorthanded Celtics squad.
However, the 76ers aren’t without their own challenges. Three key veterans—nine-time All-Star forward Paul George, second-year combo guard Jared McCain, and power forward Trendon Watford—have been ruled out for the game. George, 35, is still recovering from summer arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and hasn’t been cleared to return. McCain, the No. 16 pick from Duke in 2024, is sidelined after thumb surgery to repair a right UCL tear, following a promising but injury-plagued rookie season. Watford, meanwhile, is nursing a tight left hamstring.
The 76ers are coming off a disastrous 24-58 season in 2024-25, marred by injuries to their big three: Embiid, George, and Tyrese Maxey. Despite high expectations after blockbuster deals in the 2024 offseason, the team struggled to find chemistry. George, in particular, showed signs of decline, averaging just 16.2 points on .430/.358/.814 shooting splits across 41 games in the second year of his four-year, $211.6 million contract. At this stage of his career, questions linger about whether the 6-foot-8 Fresno State product can return to his All-Star form.
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McCain, a bright spot before his injuries, averaged an impressive 15.3 points on .460/.383/.875 shooting in 23 games last season, earning buzz as a Rookie of the Year candidate. However, his return will see him competing for minutes in a crowded backcourt alongside 2025 No. 3 pick V.J. Edgecombe, a healthier Maxey, and former restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, who is reportedly unhappy with his role.
For Boston, the absence of Tatum and potentially Brown puts immense pressure on the rest of the roster to step up against a Philadelphia team eager to make a statement. Embiid’s presence alone could tilt the game in the 76ers’ favor, especially if Boston’s frontcourt depth is compromised. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s makeshift lineup, bolstered by Embiid’s return, has a chance to steal a win and build early momentum in what promises to be a chaotic season.
As the Celtics and 76ers tip off, all eyes will be on how Boston navigates this early adversity and whether Embiid can lead Philadelphia to a statement victory. One thing’s for sure: this opening night showdown is shaping up to be a dramatic clash of two teams with everything to prove.