Celtics and Knicks Seek First Win of the Season at TD Garden
Both division rivals look to rebound from opening-night losses as they face off on Friday night in Boston.
The Boston Celtics will host the New York Knicks at TD Garden on Friday night for their first matchup of the 2026-27 regular-season series. Both teams enter the game with a 0-1 record, looking to secure their first victory of the new campaign after dropping their respective season openers earlier in the week.
Friday's contest marks the home opener for the Celtics and features a clash between two Eastern Conference division rivals. Last season, the Knicks won three out of their four regular-season games against Boston, though New York has historically faced a tough challenge at TD Garden, where the Celtics hold a 167-69 all-time record.
The Celtics enter this season with a heavily revamped roster, notably swapping Jaylen Brown for Paul George. George made an immediate impact in his Boston debut on Tuesday by scoring 38 points, setting a franchise record for the most points in a debut. Boston also welcomes back star Jayson Tatum, who missed the majority of last season with a torn Achilles, alongside former Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, who signed with the Celtics in free agency.
For the Knicks, the team is adjusting to several roster changes following last season's championship run. New York added veteran center Andre Drummond to bolster the frontcourt, while Karl-Anthony Towns continues to serve as a central offensive pillar, coming off a strong performance against the Philadelphia 76ers where he recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Both squads are dealing with minor roster adjustments and injuries entering the second game of the season. The Celtics listed Devin Carter as out due to an illness after he was diagnosed with mononucleosis, while Mitchell Robinson is expected to play despite turning his ankle during Tuesday's game. The Knicks reported no injuries ahead of the matchup.
Key individual battles are expected to dictate the tempo on the floor, notably Jayson Tatum facing off against Josh Hart, and Derrick White defending Jalen Brunson. Additionally, Mitchell Robinson will square off against his former teammates, adding a layer of personal motivation as the center aims to make an impact against the franchise he helped win a title.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM Eastern Time at TD Garden, with the game broadcast nationally on Prime Video and available on local radio networks. Following this matchup, the Celtics will continue a home stand against Chicago and Brooklyn, while the Knicks return home to host Orlando and Detroit.