Celtics big Nikola Vucevic has played in the postseason, but never as a contender

TL;DR

Nikola Vucevic has participated in the NBA playoffs but never as a contender. Now with the Boston Celtics, he faces his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, in the first round of the 2026 Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Key points

Nikola Vucevic has never played in the playoffs as a contender
He is currently with the Boston Celtics
The Celtics are facing the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2026 playoffs
Vucevic has played for multiple teams in the playoffs
Celtics won Game 3 against the 76ers

Boston CelticsPhiladelphia 76ersOrlando MagicChicago Bulls

Newest Boston Celtics big man Nikola Vucevic has played in the postseason before, but never as a team seen as a contender heading into the playoffs. Starting his career with the Philadelphia 76ers of all teams, Vooch now faces his rookie season ball club in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs, a team he whet his 16-game whistle vs. Boston in 2012 during the last era of Celtics contention, appearing in just one contest. Since then, he's also played for the Orlando Magic in a pair of first-round series in 2019 and 2020, and another with the Chicago Bulls in 2022. "We didn't play too many, unfortunately, playoffs games," said the Montenegrin big man after the Celtics' 108-100 road win vs. the Sixers in Game 3 of their 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs series. "But the ones we played, the intensity, the stakes are much higher and it helps bring your game up to a higher level, especially the physicality, and I felt like tonight was a pretty (good) example of that." "(It) wasn't a perfect game, a lot of back and forth ... ," he added. "Mistakes here and there, which happen, but we found a way."

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against Adem Bona #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) "And it was definitely a physical game, especially for us today battling with (Andre) Drummond and (Adem) Bona (...)," said Vucevic. "But yeah, it's just tough." "It's fun to be part of these, especially playing for – you want to play in the playoffs, you want to, hope you make a deep run, have these big games, so it's the best part of being a professional athlete." Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Blue Wire: iTunes: YouTube: *This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: *

Q&A

How many playoff games has Nikola Vucevic played in his career?

Nikola Vucevic has played in a total of 16 playoff games throughout his career.

What teams has Nikola Vucevic played for in the NBA playoffs?

Vucevic has played in the playoffs for the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and now the Boston Celtics.

What was the outcome of the Celtics vs. 76ers Game 3 in the 2026 playoffs?

The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 in Game 3 of their 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs series.