Copyright MassLive
The Boston Celtics start the 2025-26 NBA season at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday, Oct. 22 when the champions once removed host one of their rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers. This NBA game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston and NBC Sports Philadelphia. Fans looking to watch can do so for free by using DirecTV, which offers a free trial, or FuboTV, which also offers a free trial as well as up to $30 off your first month. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available for streaming the game. This is the start of a season in Boston that has a gray cloud floating over it in the form of Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles, that he is currently rehabbing. But with the five-time All-NBA performer sidelined for likely the entire season, the Celtics will lean heavily on 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. The four-time All-Star averaged 22.2 points and a career-high 4.5 assists along with 5.8 rebounds last season over 63 games. Along with Brown, guards Peyton Prichard and Derrick White will also be expected to help pick up the slack on offense and fill some of the scoring void created by Tatum’s absence. On the other side of the court sits at 76ers squad that had their 2024-25 riddled with injuries. 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid will be starting the season after only playing 19 games in the last campaign, but nine-time All-Star Paul George will miss the game after only playing half the season his first year in Philly. WATCH NBA GAMES FREE ON DIRECTV Who: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics When: Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. EDT Where: TD Garden in Boston Stream: DirecTV (free trial); FuboTV (free trial); SlingTV Betting: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts. What is DirecTV? DirecTV is an internet TV service that offers your favorite entertainment, news and sports channels, as well as local TV stations and regional sports networks. Sign up now and get three free months of premium channels including HBO Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and Starz. What is FuboTV? FuboTV is an internet television service that offers more than 200 channels across sports and entertainment including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. From the UEFA Champions League to the WNBA to international tournaments ranging across sports, there’s plenty of options available on FuboTV, which offers a free trial and up to $30 off the first month for new customers. What is Sling TV? Sling TV offers a variety of live programming ranging from news and sports and starting as low as $20 a month for your first month. Subscribers also get a month of DVR Plus free if they sign up now. Choose from a variety of sports packages without long-term contracts and with easy cancellation.
