Must-see Boston Celtics games on the 2025-26 NBA schedule
The Boston Celtics are going to look a lot different during the 2025-26 season, but there will be plenty of intrigue around the team as it navigates a season without Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and company now know when they'll be playing, with the NBA releasing its full schedule Thursday afternoon.
The expectations are a bit low for Boston, with Tatum likely sidelined for the season and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis traded away to get the payroll under the NBA's second apron. But the Celtics are still going to be must-see TV for local hoop fans. Brown will be out to prove he can be a team's Alpha, White will continue to do a lot of everything, and Joe Mazzulla is going to have to get creative to squeeze the most out of a suddenly talent-lacking Boston roster.
Here are the games we are circling on Boston's 2025-26 schedule.
Celtics Opening Night
The Celtics will tip off their 2025-26 season at TD Garden with a clash against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22nd.
Boston has won three straight openers, with the last two coming against the New York Knicks. The Celtics beat the 76ers in Boston to tip off the 2022-23 season.
Revenge Games vs. Knicks
The Celtics won't have to wait long to try and get some revenge against the Knicks, who sent them packing in the second round last postseason. Boston will visit the Knicks for their second game of the season on Oct. 24, which will be the first NBA game to air on Amazon Prime.
Boston fans will get to voice their disdain for the Knickerbockers at TD Garden on Dec 2nd, which will be an 8 p.m. tipoff on NBC. The Knicks will be back in Boston on Feb. 8th for a Sunday afternoon clash on ABC, and the two teams will wrap up the regular-season series on April 9 at Madison Square Garden.
Celtics Reunion Games
The Celtics said goodbye to a handful of key members of the 2024 championship team in the offseason, all of whom will likely have a nice video tribute waiting for them when they return to TD Garden.
The first return will be by lovable big man Luke Kornet, who will now back up Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. Kornet and the Spurs will come to TD Garden on Jan. 10 for a Saturday night showdown. Expect a good amount of barking from -- and toward -- Kornet, who was a fan favorite in Boston.
Next up will be Jrue Holiday's return with the Portland Trail Blazers. The veteran point guard and MVP in the community will be back in Boston on Monday, Jan. 26.
Two nights later, on Jan. 28, Kristaps Porzingis will be introduced at TD Garden as a member of the Atlanta Hawks. The Unicorn will also be back in Boston on March 27.
Veteran Al Horford remains a free agent. But if he ends up signing with the Golden State Warriors, he'll be back at TD Garden along with Steph Curry and Draymond Green on March 18.
And if you were one of the few Celtics fans who liked local guy Georges Niang, who was on the Celtics for a few weeks this offseason, he'll be "back" with the Utah Jazz on Nov. 3. Keep an eye on him that night, since Niang on the visitor's bench is always a bit dangerous for Celtics players.
Celtics Rivalry Tilts
Wanna see those teams you love to hate? On that front, it starts with the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron and the new slimmed-down Luka Doncic will come to town on Friday night, Dec. 5. Celtics fans will also have to see Marcus Smart in a Lakers uniform in-person, which is going to be difficult to stomach.
The Celtics will play the Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday evening, Feb. 22.
In the East, we've already touched on Boston's matchups with the Knicks. Elsewhere on the rivalry front, the Celtics will play the Heat in Miami on Jan. 15, welcome Miami in to Boston on Feb. 6, and then wrap up the regular-season series back in South Beach on April 1.
And if Philly can get its act straight, they'll be a rival again. After their opening night tilt, the Celtics and 76ers will also match up on Halloween night and on Nov. 11 in Philadelphia, and then back in Boston on March 1.
NBA Cup Schedule
The Celtics are in Group B in the East in this year's NBA Cup, where they'll play the 76ers, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, and Detroit Pistons. Here's their slate of NBA Cup games:
Oct. 31: Celtics at 76ers, 7pm (Amazon Prime)
Nov. 7: Celtics at Magic, 7pm
Nov. 21: Nets at Celtics, 7:30pm
Nov. 26: Pistons at Celtics, 5pm (ESPN)
The Magic and the Pistons will both be formidable foes again this year. Boston didn't make it out of Group Play last season despite going 3-1 because of tiebreakers, and were eliminated in the knockout round two years ago.
If the Celtics can advance this year and get out of the knockout round, the NBA Cup semifinals and championship game will be held in Las Vegas on Dec. 13 and 16, respectively.
In comes Cooper Flagg
The top overall pick and Maine native will play his first NBA game at TD Garden on Friday night, March 6 on ESPN when the Dallas Mavericks come to town.
Champs in town
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder will make their only visit to Boston on Wednesday, March 25.
Celtics on National TV
While the Celtics aren't going to be the powerhouse they've been over the last few years, the team will still play 25 games on national TV in the upcoming season.
Including their Oct. 24 showdown with the Knicks, the Celtics will play seven games on Amazon Prime in the upcoming season. They'll also be featured six times on ESPN, six times on NBC, four times on Peacock, and make two appearances on ABC.