Boston Celtics schedule release: 10 most intriguing games in 2025-26 season

The 2025-26 NBA schedule was unveiled on Thursday with all 82 games for the Celtics locked in amid a retooling season. It will be a year of change for Boston with Jayson Tatum sidelined and four rotation players departed via trade or free agency. However, the Celtics still believe they can be a playoff team in a wide open Eastern Conference. All of Boston’s offseason departures will also allow for plenty of reunions at TD Garden this season.

A few of the details of the schedule were already released earlier this week, including Boston’s NBA Cup schedule. Boston will not play on Christmas Day this year but still has 25 nationally-televised games, which are the eighth-most in the league. Here are 10 of the most intriguing matchups on the Celtics calendar that kicks off on Oct. 22 at TD Garden against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Celtics at Knicks, Friday Oct 24: A rematch of the second-round upset in the East playoffs will also kick off as the first televised NBA game on tienda online Prime. The matchup will look a lot different this time around after Boston’s offseason overhaul but there will be some intriguing new elements to the rivalry this year including the addition of former Celtics big man Guerschon Yabusele to the Knicks bench.

Rockets at Celtics, Saturday Nov 1: Ime Udoka made it to the NBA Finals in his rookie season with the Celtics and he will have another trip on his mind this time around after the Rockets acquired Kevin Durant this offseason.

Lakers at Celtics, Friday Dec. 5: Marcus Smart makes his return to TD Garden wearing enemy colors. The veteran guard expects to get plenty of boos wearing purple and gold from the Boston crowd but the guess here is the former Celtic still gets a friendly reception from TD Garden. The same can’t be said for LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Nuggets at Celtics, Wednesday Jan 7: Nikola Jokic always puts on a show in battles with Boston but the big man will have a beefed-up supporting cast around him this year, including the return of Boston native Bruce Brown.

Spurs at Celtics, Saturday Jan. 10: Victor Wembanyama makes his only appearance of the year at TD Garden but the undercard will be another reunion with Luke Kornet after the big man spent four seasons in Boston.

Blazers at Celtics, Monday Jan. 26: A pair of familiar faces immediately reside in Portland after the Celtics traded away Jrue Holiday away for Anfernee Simons this offseason. Robert Williams still has not suited up for a game in Boston due to injury but it will be Holiday that is likely in line for the bigger reception this time around after he was traded to Portland just one season into his four-year offer with Boston.

Hawks at Celtics, Wednesday, Jan. 28: The return of fan favorite Kristaps Porzingis will be fun to series as he always embraced the TD Garden crowd. The seven-footer is just one of several upgrades Atlanta made to their rotation this season, though, as they looked poised to move ahead of a shorthanded Celtics roster in the East standings.

Mavericks at Celtics, Friday, March 6: It will be a loud Boston crowd for Maine native Cooper Flagg playing in front of plenty of friends and family in his debut at TD Garden.

Celtics at Thunder, Thursday March 12: A measuring stick contest against the defending champions who are virtually running back an identical roster, much like the Celtics did last season after winning the title.

Warriors at Celtics, Wednesday March 18: Any matchup with the Warriors at TD Garden is always worth circling with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in town. This time around could have some extra emotion if it involves the return of Al Horford, who is still expected to sign with the Warriors if he ends up suiting up next season.

To check out the full Celtics schedule, click here.