NBA schedule release day is one of the most exciting points of the summer. Now, it could very well be because it is, in fact, the deadest part of the news cycle, but nonetheless it allows Boston Celtics fans to start circling dates on their calendars and even planning out some trips to TD Garden.
It’s been quite some time since the Washington Wizards held any weight on this day. Typically, the four matchups with them can be cast off as three or four free wins for the Celtics, who have beaten Washington 11 straight times with the last loss coming on March 28, 2023 (Kristaps Porzingis’s Celtics audition game).
This is probably the first time in the 2020s that the Wizards are somewhat of a marquee opponent for the Cs, if we’re being honest. It’s all thanks to Brockton, Massachusetts native and No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa.
AJ, who has made it clear he’s no longer a Celtics fan, will make his step foot on the TD Garden parquet for the first time as a pro on Dec. 14, 2026.
New England hoops!
There’s something special about the first time a marquee New England hoops prospect gets to face off against the Celtics for the first time. Maybe it’s because there simply aren’t as many of them compared to basketball hotspots like New York City or Los Angeles.
Ironically, the last two No. 1 overall picks, Dybantsa and Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, grew up rooting for the Cs. Flagg’s Garden debut was overshadowed by Jayson Tatum’s long-awaited return from the torn Achilles he suffered during the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Nonetheless, there was an added buzz for the Maine native that night -- it was sick.
You’d have to imagine that Dybantsa will receive a similar treatment.
Are the Wizards going to be decent?
Not to mention that the Wizards might be… good? Or at least not the bottomfeeders they’ve been over the past few seasons. Their acquisitions of former All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis at least make them an intriguing foe if both men can stay healthy and develop some sort of chemistry on the court.
Washington’s fans have the most reason in years to be excited to watch their team. The pairing of Young and Davis combined with the youth of Dybantsa, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, and Kyshawn George should give them a real shot at earning a spot in the Play-In Tournament and maybe even the playoffs next spring.
At the very least, they'll have the chance to beat the Celtics for the first time in over three years.
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