With the full NBA schedule released it’s to evaluate some of the biggest games. The defending champion Boston Celtics have 34 National TV games and plenty of notable matchups. Let’s explore Boston’s most important games of the upcoming season.
Put it on your fridge, on your desk or wherever else you want 🖨️☘️
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— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 15, 2024
Celtics Schedule: 10 Key Games of the 2024-25 Season
Celtics vs Knicks: October 22nd (7:30 P.M. TNT)
The Celtics-Knicks will tip off the NBA season. Notably, this will also be the Celtics ring ceremony night. In a night filled with celebration, the Celtics will face one of their toughest opponents and a budding rival. Both teams are also two of the most iconic franchises in the league. During the offseason, the Knicks traded for Mikal Bridges. Pairing him with OG Anunoby gives them two elite defensive wings, which is a clear move to help them match up with the Celtics star wing duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics’ elite defensive backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White facing off against Jalen Brunson is also exciting. The Celtics won the title due to incredible balance and well-rounded play the Knicks look to replicate a similar style. Overall this has all the elements of a great matchup and could end up being an Eastern Conference Finals preview ring night will certainly be a special one in Boston.
Celtics vs Bucks: October 28th (7:30 P.M. NBA TV)
For years the Celtics and Bucks have been considered the top two teams in the East. Notably, the Celtics will play the Bucks three times before the calendar flips to 2025. While the Celtics won the NBA title Milwaukee is coming off a disappointing season which included a 3-seed and their second consecutive first-round exit.
The Bucks have a lot to prove this year and the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard is expected to improve. Furthermore, watching Jrue Holiday take on his former team is always exciting. Even though it’s a regular season game, if the Bucks can win this game and or multiple games in the season series it would be a big statement early on in the season. For the Celtics, it will be important to take care of business against one of their biggest challengers in the East.
Celtics @ Warriors: November 6th (7:30 P.M. ESPN)
A 2022 finals rematch is always exciting. Last year the teams split the season series with both squads winning at home. Notably, the Celtics’ win was a 52-point blowout while the Warriors’ win was a close overtime affair. Later in the season, the Celtics will travel to Golden State for a primetime matchup on Martin Luther King Day. However, the first matchup between the two teams at T.D. Garden will perhaps be more anticipated.
It will be interesting to see Tatum and Brown go against Steve Kerr after separate controversies involving both stars in the Olympics. Due to this and the 2022 finals the Celtics will likely have some extra motivation against the Warriors. While the Warriors are a fringe playoff team with Stephen Curry on the team they will always be an exciting watch and they could be competitive in any given game.
Celtics vs Hawks: November 12th (7:00 P.M.)
The NBA Cup adds an extra sense of excitement and intrigue to the regular season. The Celtics’ first group play game of the NBA Cup will be against the Hawks. They will also take on the Cavs, Bulls, and Wizards in group C. While this appears to be an easy group nothing is guaranteed. Furthermore, the Hawks beat the Celtics twice last season adding to the importance and upset potential of this game. The Hawks improved their defense however, they are typically a run-and-gun style team led by Trae Young. As a result, this matchup could be a highly entertaining three-point battle.
Celtics vs Heat: December 2nd (7:30 P.M.)
Due to their frequent playoff matchups, the Celtics-Heat will always be a notable matchup. Many consider this the top rivalry in the league even if the Heat are no longer an elite squad. Regardless they can’t be counted out against the Celtics and this matchup will likely produce a competitive game. Jimmy Butler’s future with the Heat is up in the air adding an extra element of interest.
Celtics vs 76ers: December 25th (5:00 P.M. ABC)
Christmas Day is always one of the most exciting and notable days of the NBA regular season. This year the Celtics will take one 76ers on the primetime Christmas slot. The Celtics also played the 76ers on Christmas in 2018. In one of the biggest moves of the offseason, the Sixers signed Paul George. This is arguably the best surrounding roster of Joel Embiid’s career and the 76ers are eager for success. While the Celtics have largely dominated this matchup in the Tatum-Brown era most games have been pretty close. As a result, this game projects to be very competitive.
Celtics @ Nuggets: January 7th (10:00 P.M. TNT)
The Celtics-Nuggets delivered two gritty wire-to-wire games last season with Denver winning both. Now that the Celtics instead of the Nuggets are defending champs the dynamics of this matchup have changed quite a bit. Nevertheless, watching the past two champions will be highly exciting. As will watching the Celtics take on the league’s consensus top player Nikola Jokic. Both teams also play a very entertaining brand of basketball with the Celtics having elite three-point shooting and the Nuggets having incredible ball movement.
Celtics vs Mavericks: February 6th (7:30 P.M. TNT)
The finals rematch is always one of the more notable dates on the NBA schedule. The Celtics-Mavericks finals rematch will first take place in Dallas on January 25th. However, for Celtics fans the home finals rematch on February 6th will be more exciting. The Celtics beat the Mavericks in a dominant five games. Watching the Mavericks return and the two squads face off again will give T.D. Garden some extra energy.
Additionally, Kyrie Irving’s return to Boston is always notable. As is the matchup between the Jays and Luka Doncic. One interesting thing to watch is Kristaps Porzingis’ return. Recent reports are suggesting the big man could be out for the first half of the season due to a foot injury he suffered in the finals. It would be awesome if Porzingis was back on the floor for the finals rematch and given his timeline it’s possible this could be his first game back.
Celtics vs Lakers: March 8th (8:30 P.M. ABC)
The Celtics-Lakers have a historic rivalry. While it’s been more important in previous years it’s always noteworthy when these iconic franchises face off. By winning their 18th NBA Championship Celtics officially surpassed the Lakers for most championships. Last year the teams split the season series with both teams winning on the road. The Celtics had a dominant Christmas Day performance in LA. However, the Lakers without LeBron James and Anthony Davis surprisingly beat the Celtics in Boston. Watching LeBron play against Tatum and the rest of the Celtics crew is always entertaining. Additionally, this matchup will feature several Olympic teammates. This could be one of LeBron’s last games in Boston adding an extra element of intrigue.
Celtics vs Thunder: March 12th (7:30 P.M. ESPN)
Currently, the Thunder are favorites in the Western Conference. The Celtics are favorites to repeat as champions making this the favored finals matchup. As preseason predictions start to roll out this will be a common finals pick. Notably, the Thunder beat the Celtics once last year in a close four-point game. Unfortunately, the first game between these two squads didn’t get a National TV broadcast. Nevertheless, the second game did and there’s plenty to be excited about in this matchup. The team’s similar five-out style and all-around excellence make this an intriguing matchup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also one of the league’s top stars. Overall, this potential finals preview checks off all the boxes of a great regular-season game.
