Boston Celtics not being on opening night a sign of a weak east
On Thursday night, Shams Charania of The Athletic released the opening night of the NBA schedule. Much to the surprise of Boston Celtics fans, the team was not listed on opening night. Instead, the night will feature two Western Conference matchups, with the Los Angeles Lakers traveling to face the defending champion Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors hosting the Phoenix Suns.
JUST IN: Opening Night schedule for the 2023-24 NBA season Oct. 24 on TNT, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 10, 2023
- Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets
- Phoenix Suns @ Golden State Warriors
Since the start of the Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown era, it seems that the Celtics have played on opening night every year. However, this year is different, and it shows that the Eastern Conference is weak and the balance of power has shifted.
No eastern conference game? https://t.co/3V1DN1PHhm
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) August 10, 2023
With most of the big moves in the NBA offseason involving teams in the West, the balance of power has shifted back to the Western Conference. With the Phoenix Suns landing Bradley Beal, and teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Memphis Grizzlies beefing up their rosters, the Western Conference is loaded with teams that can make a Finals run. You also have to factor in the defending champion Denver Nuggets, who have the best player in the league in Nikola Jokic.
Boston Celtics’ opening night snub is not surprising
Ultimately, it should be no surprise that the Celtics are not playing on opening night this year. The West has far more entertaining storylines than the East and better matchups. The only real possibility for the Cs to play on opening night would have been an Eastern Conference Finals rematch with the Miami Heat, but that was likely passed over due to the Heat not landing Damian Lillard. The Suns/Warriors matchup has way more juice than the Heat/Celtics matchup.
Although the Boston Celtics not playing on opening night sucks, the possibility of a weak East should bring a smile to fans’ faces. If the league is heading for a down year in the Eastern Conference, it could open up a path for the Celtics to win Banner 18.
Ultimately, it will be interesting to see the difference in talent and records in the West and East.