The Boston Celtics open their 2025-26 season on Wednesday night, October 22nd when they host the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.
Boston, who was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the New York Knicks in six games back in May, also lost Jayson Tatum in that series to a torn achilles tendon and will be without him as well for an uncertain amount of time in the new season. Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal, Al Horford left in free agency for Golden State, Jrue Holiday was traded to Portland, and Luke Kornet landed in San Antonio. The Celtics will rely heavily on Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard scoring wise to try to at least get into a playoff spot. Anfernee Simons, who came back in the trade of Holiday, ie expected to add a scoring punch. There is a slight chance Tatum could return towards the end of the regular season or in the playoffs if the C’s are able to secure a spot.
Boston, who now lacks a veteran big guy in the middle, will look to newcomers Chris Boucher (Toronto), Luka Garza (Minnesota), and the return of Neemias Queta to try to make up for the loss of Porzingis, Horford, and Kornet. Xavier Tillman could also help out in that area. The current active roster still has the capability of winning 40 or more games mostly on the backs of Brown, White, and Pritchard, which past the predicted top 5 or 6 Eastern Conference teams could be enough to earn a playoff spot. And the possibility of Tatum returning at the end of the season would give the Celtics an experienced group going into postseason if they are to make it that far.
