The Celtics’ regular season path for their title defense, set to begin in just over two months, has been laid out after the NBA released its full schedule on Thursday. It includes 13 back-to-backs, roughly 42,000 miles of travel, and at least 26 national TV games.
Let’s look at some key games and dates as the Celtics aim to become just the fifth team this century to repeat as champs.
October 22nd vs New York Knicks
This is where it all begins. The Celtics will revel in their championship glory one last time as they receive their rings and raise the long-coveted Banner 18 into the rafters before turning their focus to Banner 19 as they face the Knicks.
As for the game itself, it will be fun. The Knicks were busy this offseason, making a big splash in acquiring Mikal Bridges to complete the Villanova reunion while also securing contract extensions for OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson.
New York had an impressive playoff run last season until injuries caught up with them, and they’ve only improved this offseason. It’s no surprise that all four of their matchups are nationally televised, as this could very well be an Eastern Conference Finals matchup.
November 1st and 2nd @ Charlotte Hornets
To be honest, nothing about this back-to-back is really exciting. Except for the fact that it will be Charles Lee’s first crack at his old team as a head coach.
This section is really here to highlight Boston’s back-to-backs. The Celtics have 13 back-to-backs this season, one fewer than last year and 1.9 fewer than the league average. Of those 13, six require no travel, with four at home.
Assuming Kristaps Porzingis is out through December, Boston will face five back-to-backs without him. This is noteworthy because Al Horford doesn’t play in back-to-backs.
November 6th vs. Golden State Warriors
Steve Kerr might have overtaken Kyrie Irving as Boston’s top basketball antagonist, and Celtics fans won’t have to wait long to express their frustration. Boston will host Golden State in their third home game of the season.
Kerr’s decision to limit Jayson Tatum’s playtime during the Olympics was widely criticized. The five-time All-Star logged just 71 minutes—second-fewest on the team, ahead of only Tyrese Haliburton. Tatum didn’t play in two of the six games, including the tense semifinal against Serbia.
The choice to bench Tatum baffled many, with figures from across the NBA landscape voicing their support for the 26-year-old superstar. Many expected this disrespect to fuel Tatum’s drive and motivation.
There is always a little added juice when the Celtics and Warriors meet, which will only intensify in the wake of the Olympics. Expect plenty of action on Tatum’s point total that night.
December 7th vs Memphis Grizzlies
Assuming the Grizzlies can stay healthy, they will be a much better team than the team we saw last season. However, this game is more about the storylines than it is about the game itself.
Injuries kept us from seeing Marcus Smart face his former teammates in both of last season’s games between the Celtics and Grizzlies, so this might be the first time Marcus Smart gets to suit up and play against his old team.
Smart’s first visit gets a Saturday night primetime slot, though it will be Boston’s second night of a back-to-back after facing the Bucks the night before.
Added subplot: Xavier Tillman will face off against his old team, and given it’s a back-to-back, he could be in line for plenty of run.
December 25th vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Celtics will play on Christmas for the ninth consecutive season, hosting their division rival, the Philadelphia 76ers. This holiday matchup will be the fifth time the Celtics have faced the 76ers on Christmas Day and the first since 2018.
Christmas Day is a highlight of the basketball calendar, and this matchup will offer Celtics fans their first look at the revamped 76ers, now bolstered by Paul George.
The unforgiving month of January
January looks to be the most challenging month of the season for the Celtics, with 10 road games and just six at home. Of their 16 games, 12 are against teams that made the playoffs or play-in last season.
The first week of January is particularly challenging. Boston will face Minnesota, then travel to Houston to take on the Rockets on the second night of a back-to-back before wrapping up the week against Oklahoma City and Denver.
That could be Boston’s toughest road stretch of the year, followed by a grueling sequence of four games in six nights against the Warriors, Lakers, and Clippers, culminating in an NBA Finals rematch.
February 28th to March 12th
In February, the Celtics will play only four games at home compared to seven on the road. However, from February 28th to March 12th, they will enjoy their longest homestand of the season, with seven home games over 13 days.
March 21st to March 31st
Shortly after its longest homestand of the season, Boston will head on its longest road trip, during which it will play six games in 11 days.
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