How to Watch 76ers vs. Celtics Preseason on DIRECTV: Tip-Off Time, NBA TV Channel and Local TV
This is the preseason game Boston has had circled since July. The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Boston Celtics on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston, and the game airs nationally on NBA TV, which is channel 216 on DIRECTV.
It's Jaylen Brown's first game back in Boston since the Celtics traded him to Philadelphia, and the first meeting since the 76ers came back to win last spring's first-round series. Here's how to watch on DIRECTV, the local channels in each market and what to know before tip-off.
76ers vs. Celtics: quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 10, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8 p.m. ET |
| National TV | NBA TV (DIRECTV channel 216) |
| Local TV, Boston | NBC Sports Boston |
| Local TV, Philadelphia | NBC Sports Philadelphia |
| Arena | TD Garden, Boston |
| Game type | NBA preseason (exhibition) |
What channel is 76ers vs. Celtics on DIRECTV?
Outside the two teams' home areas, tune to NBA TV on channel 216. NBA TV comes with the CHOICE package and higher, and it's also part of the MySports Genre Pack. It isn't in ENTERTAINMENT. Our guide to what channel NBA TV is on DIRECTV covers every package.
Each team's regional sports network also has the game:
- New England: NBC Sports Boston, which is televising all four Celtics preseason games and streaming them on the NBC Sports app.
- Philadelphia area: NBC Sports Philadelphia, the 76ers' local home.
On DIRECTV, regional sports networks come with CHOICE and higher where DIRECTV carries them in your ZIP code. Channel numbers vary by market, so check your local listings or search the team name in your guide. NBA TV games can be blacked out in the teams' home areas, where the local broadcast airs instead.
Need NBA TV before Saturday night? Call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check your package.
How to stream 76ers vs. Celtics
- DIRECTV app: if your package includes NBA TV or your team's regional network, you can watch on your phone, tablet or streaming device with the DIRECTV app.
- DIRECTV streaming: NBA TV is on channel 216 on DIRECTV streaming too, with CHOICE and higher or the MySports Genre Pack.
- NBC Sports app: the Celtics say NBC Sports Boston's preseason telecasts also stream on the NBC Sports app.
- NBA League Pass: the NBA's game page lists this one as replay-only on League Pass, with replays posted the next morning, so it won't stream live there.
76ers vs. Celtics channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| NBA TV | 216 | CHOICE and higher; MySports Genre Pack |
| NBC Sports Boston | Check your local listings | New England viewers, CHOICE and higher where DIRECTV carries it |
| NBC Sports Philadelphia | Check your local listings | Philadelphia-area viewers, CHOICE and higher where DIRECTV carries it |
What to know before tip-off
- Jaylen Brown's return: the Celtics traded Brown to Philadelphia in July for Paul George and draft picks, and this is his first game back at TD Garden. Brown scored 22 points in the 76ers' preseason opener, a 120-97 win over the Knicks on October 5.
- Will LeBron play? LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey sat out that opener as healthy inactives. As of October 6, the 76ers hadn't said who will play in Boston.
- A playoff rematch: Philadelphia came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Boston in last season's first round, winning Game 7 109-100 at TD Garden on May 2. The Knicks then swept the 76ers in the second round.
- Celtics' preseason opener first: Boston plays at Cleveland on Thursday, October 8, then hosts the 76ers on Saturday.
- Preseason rules apply: coaches often limit starters' minutes in exhibition games, so expect plenty of reserves and young players in the second half.
76ers and Celtics: the next two weeks
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 16 | Celtics at 76ers (preseason, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia) | 7 p.m. | NBA TV (216) |
| Tue., Oct. 20 | Celtics at Pistons (opening night) | 3 p.m. | NBC and Peacock |
| Tue., Oct. 20 | 76ers at Knicks (opening night) | 7 p.m. | NBC and Peacock |
NBC's opening-night games air on your local NBC station, which comes with DIRECTV packages that include local channels where available. Peacock streams them too but needs its own subscription. The full national schedule, team-by-team local channels and League Pass details are in our guide to watching the NBA on DIRECTV, and the rest of the exhibition slate is in our 2026 NBA preseason guide.
Other ways to follow the game
- Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub has the Celtics broadcast, 97.5 The Fanatic carries the 76ers, and SiriusXM has national NBA radio coverage.
- Out of market: NBA TV is the simplest way to watch on DIRECTV if you don't live in either team's area.
Which DIRECTV package is best for 76ers and Celtics fans?
- CHOICE: adds NBA TV (216) and, where available, NBC Sports Boston or NBC Sports Philadelphia. For most fans of either team, this is the package to start with.
- ENTERTAINMENT: includes ESPN and ESPN2 for national games, plus local channels where available for NBC's opening night, but not NBA TV.
- MySports Genre Pack: a sports-focused streaming option with NBA TV and ESPN.
Want NBA TV and your team's channel on one plan? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What time is 76ers vs. Celtics on October 10?
Tip-off is 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at TD Garden in Boston.
What channel is 76ers vs. Celtics on?
NBA TV airs the game nationally. On DIRECTV, NBA TV is channel 216 with CHOICE and higher. In each team's home area, the game is also on NBC Sports Boston (Celtics) and NBC Sports Philadelphia (76ers).
Will Jaylen Brown play in Boston on October 10?
Brown played in the 76ers' preseason opener and scored 22 points, but as of October 6 Philadelphia hadn't announced who will play Saturday. Preseason lineups are usually confirmed close to tip-off.
Is NBA TV included in DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT?
No. NBA TV starts with the CHOICE package. It's also in the MySports Genre Pack.
When do the 76ers and Celtics play again?
They meet again in the preseason on Friday, October 16, at 7 p.m. ET in Philadelphia, also on NBA TV.
Questions about NBA TV or your local team channel? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 6, 2026. Tip times, TV assignments and broadcast lineups are set by the NBA, its teams and their TV partners and may change. Player availability for preseason games is often announced close to tip-off. NBA TV games may be blacked out in the teams' home markets. Regional network carriage, channel numbers, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. NBA, NBA TV, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.