The Philadelphia 76ers are sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, and if the season ended today, they’d be staring down a first-round playoff matchup with a familiar - and formidable - foe: the Boston Celtics. It’s a rivalry steeped in history and postseason battles, and while the standings are far from final, there’s a real possibility we’ll see another chapter of Sixers vs. Celtics come playoff time.
Now here’s where things get interesting. The Sixers currently lead the season series 2-1 against Boston, and that edge matters - not just for seeding, but for confidence.
But holding onto that advantage could get a whole lot tougher if the Celtics make a move before the trade deadline. According to reports, Boston is among the teams eyeing a potential deal for Pelicans center Yves Missi - a young, athletic big who’s been generating buzz across the league.
Let’s be clear: if Boston lands Missi, it’s not a game-changer in the sense of suddenly solving the Embiid problem. But it’s a move that could complicate things for Philly.
Right now, the Sixers have a clear advantage in the paint. Joel Embiid is back to playing like the MVP version of himself - dominant, efficient, and capable of anchoring both ends of the floor.
Boston, on the other hand, has been relying on a patchwork rotation of bigs. Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have shown flashes, but neither has logged meaningful playoff minutes, and neither is equipped to handle Embiid in a seven-game series.
That’s where Missi comes in. He’s not a finished product, and he’s already fallen out of the rotation in New Orleans.
But he’s a more viable option than what Boston currently has. At the very least, he gives head coach Joe Mazzulla another body to throw at Embiid - someone with size, mobility, and upside.
Even if he can’t stop Embiid (and let’s be honest, who can?), he might at least force him to work a little harder.
For Philly, that’s not ideal. The Sixers’ best path to playoff success - especially in a potential Celtics matchup - runs through Embiid dominating the interior. If Boston shores up its frontcourt with a move like this, it doesn’t erase that edge, but it does chip away at it.
That’s why the Sixers should be watching the trade deadline closely. They don’t just need to focus on their own moves - they need to keep an eye on Boston, too. If the Celtics manage to land Missi or another serviceable big, it could tilt the balance just enough to make things uncomfortable for Philly in a playoff setting.
The rivalry’s already intense. The stakes are always high when these two meet. But if this first-round showdown comes to pass, and if Boston adds a piece like Missi before the deadline, the battle in the paint could become the defining storyline of the series.