For the first time since 2015, the Celtics won’t play on Christmas Day. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the following 10 teams will play:
Last year, the Celtics hosted the Philadelphia 76ers in a narrow loss.
Typically, the league’s most competitive teams suit up on Christmas, and the Celtics have been in that mix for nearly a decade. But next season, the Celtics’ roster will look completely different; Jayson Tatum will be sidelined with an Achilles rupture, and the team will be without five key rotation players from last season: Jrue Holiday (Portland Trail Blazers), Kristaps Porzingis (Atlanta Hawks), Luke Kornet (San Antonio Spurs), and Al Horford (TBD). The Christmas Day schedule indicates the league doesn’t anticipate the Celtics will be particularly competitive, presumably as a result of their offseason changes.
However, not playing on Christmas is far from a death sentence; the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers both didn’t play on Christmas last season, but nonetheless went on to compete in the NBA Finals.
The Celtics also won’t play on Opening Night
Charania also reported which 4 teams will play on NBA’s Opening Night, which is slated for October 21st. Unsurprisingly, the Celtics aren’t on the list:
Last season, the Celtics began their title defense with a blowout win over the New York Knicks at home.
