The NBA regular-season schedule was released, and it promises an exciting start for the defending champion Celtics. Their first game will be against their Eastern Conference rivals, the Knicks, on October 22. This matchup has become somewhat of a tradition, as the two teams have faced each other in three of the last four season openers. Last year, the Celtics won a close one in New York, but the Knicks got their revenge in a double-overtime victory in October 2021. The Knicks have made moves to strengthen their roster, trading for Mikal Bridges, and they will be looking to test the Celtics’ versatility right from the start.
The Celtics will have a total of 26 games televised on major networks TNT, ESPN, and ABC, second only to the Lakers who have 28 televised games. They will also have six games broadcasted on ABC, tying with the Lakers for the most in the league. Additionally, the Celtics will have eight games aired on NBA TV this season. However, the new TV deal next season will bring changes, with NBC and Amazon Prime taking over as secondary broadcasters to ABC/ESPN.
February will be a month for the Celtics to shine on the national stage, with seven of their 11 games being televised. This month will feature matchups against the Knicks, 76ers, Cavaliers, and a visit from the Spurs with Victor Wenbanyama. But the highlight of the month will be on February 6 when the Mavericks return to Boston for the first time since the Celtics won the championship.
In December, the Celtics will have an exciting homestand, including a marquee Christmas Day game against the reloaded 76ers, followed by two games against the Pacers and a New Year’s Eve matinee against the Raptors. However, once the new year begins, the Celtics will embark on a long stretch of road games. January starts with a tough trip to Minnesota, followed by visits to Houston, Oklahoma City, and Denver. This could also be the window for Kristaps Porziņģis’ return, as the Celtics face some of the best teams in the West.
In January, the Celtics will have a visit to the Lakers and a rematch of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks. This month will be challenging, with three back-to-back games. February will bring some relief for the Celtics as they play three games at home before a lopsided March. They will start the month with a seven-game homestand, followed by a six-game road trip against Western Conference teams.
The Celtics will have to wait until the end of the season to face former assistants Charles Lee, Jermaine Bucknor, and Blaine Mueller, who are now with the Hornets. In the past, the Celtics would typically play consecutive preseason games against the Hornets, but this year they will face off in back-to-back games to open November and wrap up the regular season in April.
The schedule also includes some intriguing reunions. Marcus Smart, who missed Memphis’ trip to Boston last season due to injury, will return to face the Celtics on December 7. Smart can expect some boos from Celtics fans who were used to cheering for him. Another reunion will be with Svi Mykhailiuk, who signed with the Jazz after playing for the Celtics last season. The shooting guard will visit Boston on March 10.
One challenge the Celtics will face is the absence of Kristaps Porziņģis in December due to ankle surgery. Al Horford will step in as the starting center, with Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman Sr., and Neemias Queta rotating in the backup role. The Celtics will have their NBA Cup group-stage games in November, and if they advance to the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, Porziņģis may have the opportunity to return around that time.
Overall, the Celtics’ schedule presents a mix of tough matchups, rivalries, and opportunities for the team to showcase their skills on the national stage. With the defending champions looking to defend their title, fans can expect an exciting and challenging season ahead.