The Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their preseason schedule with a 120-125 loss to the Boston Celtics on October 16, 2026. This final tune-up came as a city dares to dream of its first NBA championship in over four decades, fueled by the summer arrival of LeBron James.
Long-suffering 76ers fans haven't celebrated an NBA title since 1983. The city has seen icons like Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, and Joel Embiid come and go without a parade. Now, with LeBron James headlining a roster that includes two former MVPs and a Finals MVP, excitement is palpable. "We never had a team like this," said Kairee Harvey, a 32-year-old police officer and diehard fan. He admitted, "I still can't believe it."
But Philadelphia sports fans are famously cautious. Local artist Rob Nero, whose Sixers-themed murals dot the city, understands the sentiment. "We're so used to getting our hopes up and having our hearts broken," Nero said. That history of near-misses doesn't stop the belief. The team's final preseason game was a sellout, with fans like Laurie Ney showing unwavering support. "They let me down at times as a team, but I'm there to cheer them on no matter what," she stated.
The preseason provided a mixed bag of results for Philadelphia. They opened with a strong 120-97 win over the New York Knicks on October 5. Things got tougher with a 114-108 road loss to the Brooklyn Nets on October 8, followed by a difficult 144-106 defeat in Boston on October 10. They closed the slate with the narrow 120-125 loss to those same Celtics on October 16. These games offered glimpses of the team's potential and the work still needed.
Fans saw promising signs from new additions. "We've already seen some exciting things in the preseason, especially from Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe," Rob Nero observed. Brown, acquired in a major trade from Boston, is expected by many to take a leading role. The big question is how quickly this collection of stars will gel into a cohesive unit on both ends of the floor.
The preseason is over, and the real test begins immediately. The Philadelphia 76ers open their 2026-27 NBA regular season on the road against the New York Knicks on October 20. It's a chance to start turning preseason optimism into tangible wins.
The team's performance carries extra weight in the city's sports landscape right now. The Phillies had an early MLB playoff exit. The Eagles are on a losing streak with quarterback Jalen Hurts injured. The Flyers are struggling in the NHL. A fast start from the star-powered 76ers could capture the city's full attention. For fans like Kairee Harvey, the belief is simple: "I think that this will be our year to win a championship." The journey to prove him right starts now.
