Boston Celtics NBA Games Schedule 2025-26

The Boston Celtics, one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, are gearing up for another thrilling season in 2025-26. With a roster built around superstar Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, along with a deep supporting cast, the Celtics are expected to be championship contenders once again.

1. Overview of the 2025-26 NBA Season Structure

Before diving into the Celtics’ specific schedule, let’s outline the NBA’s general structure for the 2025-26 season:

• Preseason (Early October 2025): 4-6 exhibition games to prepare for the regular season.

• Regular Season (Mid-October 2025 – Mid-April 2026): 82 games (41 home, 41 away).

• In-Season Tournament (November-December 2025): A mid-season competition with group play and knockout rounds.

• All-Star Break (February 2026): A weekend of festivities, including the All-Star Game.

• Playoffs (April-June 2026): If the Celtics qualify, they’ll compete in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Key Dates for the 2025-26 Season

2. Celtics’ 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule Breakdown

The Celtics will play 82 games, facing every NBA team at least twice (once at home, once away), with additional matchups against Eastern Conference rivals. Below is a breakdown of the most anticipated games.

A. Season Opener & Early Season Highlights

• October 21, 2025 – vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Home)

  • A potential Eastern Conference Finals preview against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

  • National TV (ESPN or TNT) game likely.

• October 25, 2025 – at Philadelphia 76ers

  • First road game against Joel Embiid and the rival 76ers.

• November 1, 2025 – vs. Miami Heat

  • A rematch of recent playoff battles against Jimmy Butler’s Heat.

B. In-Season Tournament Games (November-December 2025)

The NBA’s In-Season Tournament returns, with group-stage games counting toward the regular season record.

• November 4, 2025 – vs. New York Knicks

• November 11, 2025 – at Brooklyn Nets

• November 18, 2025 – vs. Toronto Raptors

If the Celtics advance, they’ll play in the knockout rounds in early December.

C. Christmas Day Game (December 25, 2025)

The Celtics are almost always featured in the NBA’s Christmas Day marquee matchups. Potential opponents:

• vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Historic rivalry)

• vs. Golden State Warriors (Tatum vs. Curry)

• vs. Miami Heat (Playoff rematch)

D. Rivalry Games & Key Eastern Conference Battles

1. vs. Philadelphia 76ers (4 games)

   • Always intense, especially if Embiid and Maxey are healthy.

   • Dates: Nov. 15 (Away), Jan. 10 (Home), Mar. 5 (Away), Apr. 2 (Home)

2. vs. Milwaukee Bucks (3-4 games)

   • Giannis vs. Tatum is must-watch basketball.

   • Dates: Oct. 21 (Home), Dec. 20 (Away), Feb. 28 (Home)

3. vs. Miami Heat (3-4 games)

   • Playoff tension carries over into regular season.

   • Dates: Nov. 1 (Home), Jan. 22 (Away), Mar. 12 (Home)

4. vs. New York Knicks (4 games)

   • Madison Square Garden games are always electric.

   • Dates: Nov. 4 (Home), Dec. 8 (Away), Feb. 10 (Home), Apr. 5 (Away)

E. Western Conference Showdowns

The Celtics face every Western team twice (home & away). Key matchups:

• vs. Denver Nuggets (Nikola Jokić vs. Celtics’ defense)

• vs. Phoenix Suns (Kevin Durant & Devin Booker showdown)

• vs. Golden State Warriors (Tatum vs. Curry – Finals rematch?)

• vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Historic Celtics-Lakers rivalry)

F. Tough Road Trips & Back-to-Backs

• West Coast Road Trip (Late January 2026):

  • Games against Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Suns in a 7-game stretch.

• March 2026 Gauntlet:

  • A mix of playoff contenders, including Bucks, Heat, 76ers, Nuggets.

3. National TV & Prime-Time Games

The Celtics are a marquee NBA team, so expect 20+ nationally televised games on:

• ABC (Sunday showcase games)

• ESPN (Wednesday & Friday nights)

• TNT (Thursday nights)

• NBA TV (Select games)

Projected Prime-Time Games:

• Opening Night vs. Bucks (TNT)

• Christmas Day Game (ABC/ESPN)

• Celtics vs. Lakers (ABC – Sunday)

• Celtics vs. Warriors (ESPN – Friday night)

4. Playoff Push & Final Stretch (March-April 2026)

The last 20 games will determine playoff seeding. Key late-season matchups:

• March 15, 2026 – vs. 76ers

• April 1, 2026 – at Bucks

• April 10, 2026 – vs. Heat

If the Celtics are fighting for the No. 1 seed, these games will be crucial.

5. Playoff Expectations & Championship Hopes

Assuming the Celtics stay healthy, they are championship favorites in 2025-26. Their schedule sets up for:

• Strong start (October-November)

• Mid-season challenges (In-Season Tournament, road trips)

• Playoff seeding battles (March-April)

If they secure a top-3 seed, they’ll have home-court advantage in at least the first two playoff rounds.

Final Thoughts: Celtics’ 2025-26 Schedule Outlook

The 2025-26 Boston Celtics schedule is packed with must-watch games, from rivalry showdowns to NBA Finals rematches. Fans should circle these key dates:
✅ Season Opener vs. Bucks (Oct. 21, 2025)
✅ Christmas Day Game (Dec. 25, 2025)
✅ In-Season Tournament Knockout Rounds (Dec. 2025)
✅ Final Showdown vs. 76ers (Apr. 2, 2026)

With a mix of star power, deep roster talent, and high-stakes matchups, the Celtics are poised for another thrilling season.