76ers, Celtics Game 7 matchup was most-watched first-round Game 7 in NBA history
Game 7 between Boston and Philadelphia was the most-watched first-round game in the last 27 years.
The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics went to a Game 7, which saw the Sixers advance with a win in Boston. That exciting first-round series picked up plenty of viewers along the way. The final game between Philadelphia and Boston averaged 11 million viewers between NBC and Peacock, according to the NBA .
This made it the most-watched first-round Game 7 in history and the most-watched first-round game overall in the last 27 years. The NBA added that the entire first round of this year’s playoffs was the most-viewed first round in the last 33 years, averaging four million viewers. Game 7 of the 76ers/Celtics series on May 2 averaged 11 million viewers on NBC/Peacock – the most-watched first-round Game 7 ever and the most-watched first-round game in 27 years.
The first round of the NBA Playoffs was the most-viewed in 33 years, averaging 4 million viewers… pic. twitter. com/sdcPZQzJV3 — NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 5, 2026 Boston took the first game of the series, but Philadelphia bounced back in Game 2 to even the slate.
The Celtics then won back-to-back games to reach the infamous 3-1 series lead. It looked like the series was over after Game 4, as Boston was on the road but still secured the impressive 128-96 win, its second 32-point win of the series. The 76ers responded by winning three straight games, two of which came on the Celtics’ home court.