The Celtics open the preseason on October 8 against Philadelphia

Tom VazquezAugust 10, 2023

Celts

Boston announced its five-game preseason schedule Thursday.

The Celtics begin their pre-season campaign against the Philadelphia 76ers. (AP Photo/Madeline Carter)

The Celtics will begin their prep schedule on October 8 when that happens planned to host the Philadelphia 76ersthe first of five preparatory games.

This will be the first of two preparatory meetings against the 76ers, with the final game scheduled for October 11 in Philadelphia. Two games against the New York Knicks are also planned for the Celtics. The first will be played at Madison Square Garden on October 9th and then at TD Garden on October 17th.

The Celtics will wrap up their pre-season ball against the Charlotte Hornets on October 19.

While fans are unlikely to see much of Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown on the floor in pre-season, these five games will offer a selection of some new faces and players vying for bigger roles.

After a strong performance in the summer league, Celtics newcomer Jordan Walsh will be looking to him for pre-season basketball. The 6ft 7in winger has the potential to make an impact on rotation early in his career, but he will face competition in the process.

Payton Pritchard has expressed a desire for a bigger role, whether in Boston or elsewhere. The young guard wanted to be traded before the end of last season and is said to have applied for a trade again this summer. That wish has yet to be granted and if Pritchard remains in the Celtics shirt for the start of the season he will likely use the pre-season to prove his worth.

The preseason can also answer questions about Boston’s rotation sizes. The departure of Grant Williams in a swap means that some other substitutes have more minutes of play. Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet were regulars in the rotation, and Dalano Banton has an opportunity to earn spare minutes with a strong preseason.

Robert Williams, Al Horford and newly-signed forward Kristaps Porzingis are likely to dominate minutes in the starting rotation as power forwards and centers as the regular season begins.

All five of Boston’s preseason games will be broadcast on NBC Boston.