Both James and Embiid are expected to suit up tonight against Boston. After sharing the floor during a brief stretch against Brooklyn, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse is expected to give the duo more extended run against the Celtics.

With any off-season trade rumors surrounding James and Embiid firmly put to rest, the Sixers are focused on building chemistry between their two centerpiece stars as they eye a deep postseason run in the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are taking a cautious approach with Jayson Tatum and Paul George for tonight’s contest. Both stars sat out Boston’s preseason opener as they continue to recover from off-season injuries.

Projected lineup for the Sixers

While Embiid and James remain the engine of the offense, guard Tyrese Maxey provides crucial scoring and playmaking support as Philadelphia looks to capture a victory tonight.

Here is Philadelphia’s projected starting five:

• Point Guard: Tyrese Maxey
• Shooting Guard: V.J. Edgecombe
• Small Forward: Paul George
• Power Forward: LeBron James
• Center: Joel Embiid

With their key pieces expected on the floor tonight against the Celtics, the Sixers are using these final tune-ups to gear up for a high-profile regular-season opener against the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.

Key takeaways

• LeBron James and Joel Embiid are expected to receive extended playing time against Boston.
• The Celtics are taking a cautious approach with Jayson Tatum and Paul George.
• Philadelphia’s projected starting unit includes Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Paul George, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid.

However, both George and Tatum are expected to play tonight’s contest as they recovered from offseason ailments. Meanwhile, the defending champion Celtics are aiming to re-establish their dominant form following a summer of minor roster adjustments.

With George revealing a key injury update a couple of weeks ago, Boston remains focused on executing the fast-paced, floor-spacing style that propelled them to the 2024 NBA title.

On the other hand, the Sixers are eager to see how its updated core gels. Dynamic guard Tyrese Maxey is expected to log minutes alongside Embiid, with rookie lottery pick VJ Edgecombe also projected to feature prominently in tonight’s rotation.

Projected lineups today for Celtics

With Tatum resting, the Celtics will turn to their reliable backcourt and depth to set the tone, leaning heavily on key playmakers like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to lead the starting unit.

Here is Boston’s projected starting five for tonight’s game against the Sixers:

• Point Guard: Derrick White
• Shooting Guard: Payton Pritchard
• Small Forward: Paul George
• Power Forward: Jayson Tatum
• Center: Xavier Tillman / Neemias Queta

Tonight’s matchup offers an early barometer for both Eastern Conference contenders as they gear up for what promises to be a high-stakes 2024–25 regular season.

Key takeaways

• Paul George and Jayson Tatum are expected to play tonight’s preseason match.
• Boston’s projected starting five includes Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta.
• Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are projected to feature in Philadelphia’s rotation tonight.

Now, George has given an update on his health as the new season quickly approaches. “I feel great again. I feel like I’ve turned a corner of dealing with injuries, and now kind of reestablishing myself and from a physical standpoint again,” said George, per John Kalaris of Locked on Celtics on X.

George has dealt with several injury setbacks over the last few years, dating back to his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. While he clearly has lost a step athletically even when fully healthy, Boston will still hope that he is able to stay on the floor as often as possible this year as he enters his late 30s.

What is expected of George

Although George has not shown his maximum potential in recent years due to injuries, a healthy version of the veteran forward can become one of the best players in the league, potentially offering even more than Brown provided for the Celtics.

George by and large outplayed Brown during the matchup between the Celtics and 76ers in the playoffs this past spring, knocking down a barrage of tough jumpers as Philadelphia battled back from a 3-1 deficit, and also providing some of his usual stout perimeter defense.

He remains an excellent perimeter defender, a high-level secondary playmaker, and one of the most efficient catch-and-shoot threats in the NBA. His ability to space the floor should fit seamlessly alongside Tatum, creating driving lanes and offensive flexibility that few teams can match.

The Celtics envision a version of George who plays more than 60 games, shoots over 40 percent from three-point range, and provides another experienced postseason option alongside Tatum.

With two years left on his four-year, $30 million contract, Pritchard is in line for a hefty contract extension, according to the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn. “If you look at the salaries, Payton is next in line, and I think he’s one of the league’s bigger bargains,” Washburn said.

“He’s making $7.7 [million] this year, $8.3 [million] in 27-28. He’s due an extension that’s going to be about $22 million a year. And I think it could be what he decides to produce this year, but I also think he has shown enough where you do give him that $22 million per year. That’s still, in today’s NBA, a very tradable contract.”

The Celtics will not regret the move

Pritchard is a player who won the Sixth Man of the Year award and earned a starting role in Tatum’s absence, serving as the second option alongside Jaylen Brown as they led the franchise to the playoffs when many had written them off from even reaching the postseason.

“That’s not a contract that I don’t think the Celtics at all will regret. That rewards Payton for his hard work. For overpaying his contract, we all know he’s one of the league’s biggest bargains. That’s the Celtics kind of giving him a nice payday on the backside after this contract is up. And I think he deserves it,” Washburn added.

After winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2025, Pritchard averaged career-bests in points (17.0), assists (5.7), and rebounds (3.9) per game in 2026-27—numbers that highlight the kind of player he has become.

Financial flexibility under strict salary cap rules

While a $22 million average annual value represents a steep increase from Pritchard’s current four-year, $30 million contract, it offers strong value under current NBA salary cap structures. Occupying under 10% of the team’s projected cap when activated for the 2028–29 season, the contract provides Boston with significant roster flexibility.

Front-office decision-makers see the deal as a high-value agreement that retains top-tier perimeter production without suffocating flexibility under the modern collective bargaining agreement.

The idea immediately went viral across social media, with many fans imagining Curry teaming up with Jayson Tatum in what would have been one of the most shocking moves in league history.

However, the person who sparked the discussion has now clarified what actually happened, and the reality is very different from the narrative that spread online. The Golden State Warriors never made a decision.

Will the Celtics trade for Stephen Curry?

No, the Celtics are not expected to make a blockbuster trade for Stephen Curry. After the speculation exploded, John Karalis of Sports Illustrated explained that he never reported Boston had actually contacted the Warriors about the star. That clarification significantly changes the context surrounding the story.

“I did not report that the Celtics made an offer to the Warriors. I wrote a column that said if the Warriors were open to a Steph trade that Brad would call. I thought it was pretty clear that the whole piece was my opinion.”

Karalis’ comments make it clear that Brad Stevens is not actively pursuing a trade for Stephen Curry. Instead, the scenario was based entirely on the hypothetical possibility that Golden State would decide to place Curry on the trade market.

At the moment, there is no indication that will happen. In fact, multiple reports suggest the Warriors remain committed to Curry and have even discussed the possibility of another contract extension for the franchise icon.

As a result, what initially appeared to be a potential blockbuster has turned into little more than a social media frenzy fueled by a hypothetical opinion rather than an actual trade discussion.

The idea of Curry joining forces with Jayson Tatum immediately captured attention across the league, especially after another quiet offseason for the Warriors, who failed to land stars such as LeBron James.

However, a new report has poured cold water on the speculation, making it clear that the Golden State Warriors have no intention of moving their franchise icon ahead of next season.

Will Warriors trade Steph Curry to Boston Celtics?

No. According to a report from Jake Weinbach, the Golden State Warriors are not considering trading Stephen Curry and remain committed to building around their longtime superstar.

“Steph Curry is not a trade candidate, at least for the time being. The Warriors fully plan to keep their core intact heading into the 2026-27 season. Golden State’s direction could eventually shift, but the trade speculation surrounding Curry can be put to bed this offseason.”

As exciting as the scenario sounded for Celtics fans, there appears to be virtually no chance of Curry wearing green this season. Instead, the Warriors are expected to move forward with essentially the same core that fell short last season, led by Curry, Draymond Green, as they wait for Jimmy Butler who is working his way back from injury.

After missing out on major offseason targets, the Warriors are betting that continuity will be enough to keep them in the championship conversation during the 2026-27 campaign.

John Karalis of Sports Illustrated gave the following trade proposal for the Celtics to try and convince the Golden State Warriors to say goodbye to Steph Curry, it won’t be easy, but it looks like this:

• Celtics give: Paul George, Sam Hauser, two future first-round draft picks (2028 and 2031), and two second-round draft picks (2028 and 2030).
• Warriors give: Steph Curry.

Is the Curry trade proposal viable?

For starters, for this to happen the Celtics would have to wait until September 6 to make the trade because Paul George’s salary can’t be aggregated with anyone else’s for 60 days. Steph Curry will not request a trade from the Warriors, though.

This hypothetical trade proposal is financially viable and mathematically legally compliant under the current NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). So, is it viable? Yes. Will it happen? Less likely. In fact, a recent report suggests the Celtics won’t find a way to trade for Curry.

Curry isn’t tempted easily

The Warriors have had incredible rosters, but also some lackluster ones, yet Steph Curry has remained loyal through it all. He and Golden State are one, and it’s even tough to imagine it otherwise. Hence, the Celtics would really have to present a strong case to sway Curry.

ESPN’s Shams Charania on The Stephen A. Smith Show on Monday, Charania revealed details about trade talks involving Brown between Golden State and the Celtics before the league’s Feb. 5 trade deadline, noting how the pursuit of James might have differed had Golden State pulled off a deal for Brown earlier in the season.

“The Warriors could’ve got in the Jaylen Brown sweepstakes if they wanted to give up four first-round picks-ish, in that range,” Charania told Smith. “They decided not to from my understanding. Those two teams, the Warriors and Celtics, did talk about a Jaylen Brown trade around the trade deadline, and it was around several first-round draft picks, potential swaps, and seconds. The Warriors decided not to go down that route, and so that’s on them. That’s the decision they made.”

Warriors facing criticism over roster strategy

The narrative surrounding the Warriors is turning villainous as the organization shows a lack of genuine interest in upgrading the roster to maximize Curry, a legend and the greatest player in franchise history. Curry even did his part to help close a potential deal for James, but the front office failed to provide adequate help.

According to Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, Curry was actively involved in trying to recruit James to Golden State, but kept his expectations in check throughout the process in case things did not work out.

Thompson suggested Curry could be growing weary of the organization’s pattern of chasing external stars rather than building around what the team already has. “I think he’s probably a little tired of the star chasing,” Thompson said. That sentiment reframes Golden State’s aggressive pursuit of James not as a simple swing-and-miss, but as part of a broader front office strategy that may not fully align with what Curry himself wants out of these final NBA seasons of his career.

Curry did not get his shot at pairing with James, and he may also be reconsidering whether chasing that kind of star pairing is even the direction he wants Golden State to pursue. However, that does not mean Curry will distance himself from the franchise given his deep loyalty, which could instead point toward a potential upcoming extension for Draymond Green.

How to watch Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics in the USA

Fans in the United States can watch this Summer League game live on NBA League Pass and Amazon Prime Video.

Be sure to tune in and catch all the action from start to finish in what is expected to be a thrilling and entertaining contest.

Can I watch Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics for free?

Watch the full match live in the United States on Amazon Prime Video, one of the streaming platforms carrying the event.

New users can watch for free by taking advantage of Amazon Prime Video’s 30-day free trial before choosing a paid subscription.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

NBA Summer League offers teams an opportunity to evaluate young talent ahead of the new season, and this matchup features two franchises looking to bounce back from early playoff exits.

The Atlanta Hawks finished sixth in the Eastern Conference before falling to the eventual champions New York Knicks in the first round.

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics placed second in the East but were unexpectedly eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams will look to use Summer League as a stepping stone toward a stronger 2026-27 campaign.

What time is the Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics match?

The match kicks off today, July 13, at 6:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 6:00 PM
Central Time: 5:00 PM
Mountain Time: 4:00 PM
Pacific Time: 3:00 PM

According to ESPN‘s Shams Charania, the stunning deal swaps two of the Eastern Conference’s elite two-way wings and completely redraws the balance of power atop the league.

With both rosters undergoing an immediate, top-tier facelift, the personnel shift drastically alters how both championship contenders will look on the floor next season. Here is a breakdown of the new-look projected starting lineups for both the Celtics and the Sixers:

• Boston Celtics:
  • PG: Jrue Holiday
  • SG: Derrick White
  • SF: Paul George
  • PF: Jayson Tatum
  • C: Luke Kornet (or Neemias Queta / Xavier Tillman)

• Philadelphia 76ers:
  • PG: Tyrese Maxey
  • SG: Jaylen Brown
  • SF: Kelly Oubre Jr. (or Caleb Martin)
  • PF: Guerschon Yabusele (or a free agent/trade acquisition)
  • C: Joel Embiid

How the Brown–George blockbuster alters the Eastern Conference landscape

The earth-shattering trade completely reshapes the power balance atop the Eastern Conference. By swapping perennial All-Stars and shifting draft equity, both front offices have fundamentally altered their identities and timelines.

This is what the Sixers could have with Brown on the roster:

• Pairing the 29-year-old Brown with franchise cornerstone Tyrese Maxey hands Philadelphia one of the most athletic, high-scoring perimeter duos in the NBA, securing a championship-caliber window for the next half-decade.
• Brown’s elite downhill attacking and lethal transition scoring offer a massive structural upgrade over George’s more deliberate, jump-shot-reliant style. Brown’s ability to routinely collapse opposing defenses will inevitably afford Joel Embiid much wider lanes to operate in the half-court.

This is what the Celtics could have with George on the roster:

• George arrives in Boston as a highly efficient, high-volume threat from deep (41.3% last season). His immense perimeter gravity should optimize Jayson Tatum’s playmaking, clearing out the clogged paint that often resulted from Brown’s downhill drives.
• This deal was heavily motivated by the second-apron constraints of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. While Brown is locked into a massive supermax contract, George is only under contract for two seasons. The incoming draft capital—anchored by Philly’s highly coveted, unprotected 2031 first-rounder—gives Brad Stevens the war chest needed to hunt for frontcourt reinforcements down the line.

According to NBA insider Jake Weinbach, if the Celtics ultimately decide to explore the trade market for Brown, the Houston Rockets are poised to assemble a massive blockbuster package to acquire him for the 2026-27 season.

“If the Celtics are open to trading Jaylen Brown, the Rockets can present an appealing package around Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and first-round draft compensation,“ Weinbach reported via his X account.

With the Rockets established as an aggressive suitor for Brown, the ball remains entirely in Boston’s court. Houston, however, is not expected to be the only franchise aggressively working the phones to strike a deal for the explosive wing if he becomes available.

What to expect from the Celtics?

To understand why Boston holds all the leverage, it is critical to break down Brown’s current status. While both Brown and Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens have publicly downplayed the trade chatter, a potential parting of ways remains a distinct financial possibility due to the league’s strict economic landscape.

Brown is currently playing under a massive five-year supermax extension worth roughly $285 million. With Jayson Tatum also commanding a historic supermax contract of his own, committing to both superstar wings long-term forces the Celtics deep into the NBA’s punishing “second apron” luxury tax territory.

Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules, this designation severely restricts the front office from signing impact depth pieces, utilizing mid-level exceptions, or aggregating salaries in trades, threatening to freeze their ability to build a competent championship roster around their stars.

Other reasons to consider that Brown could leave the Celtics

Beyond the financial constraints, Brown’s recent postseason performance has raised questions after he failed to consistently meet expectations. He struggled to impact winning in the manner the front office and fan base anticipated, though a singular playoff slump is a vulnerability faced by many stars and wouldn’t completely tank his value on its own.

However, a more explosive factor has surfaced via reports from The Athletic, which suggest that the Celtics could be monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation for next season. With a luxury tax bill already suffocating their roster flexibility, sacrificed salary would be an absolute necessity, making a Brown departure the clear pathway if ‘The Greek Freak’ somehow targets Boston.