Celtics to be a part of NBA history this season

The Boston Celtics will be a part of the matchup that kicks off Amazon's first Friday night doubleheader on Prime Video this season.

As part of the opening-week schedule, on Friday, Oct. 24, the 18-time NBA champions will square off against the New York Knicks in a playoff rematch.

The Knicks upset the Celtics in a second-round Eastern Conference Semifinal series last postseason. New York prevailed 4-2, ending its geographical rival's season in six games.

As bitter a defeat as that was for Celtics fans, the far more serious development wasn't the denial of the chance at lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy in consecutive campaigns.

Jayson Tatum tearing his Achilles was a franchise-altering development. Hopefully, he returns to help lead the franchise back to title contention. However, an organization that once seemed like it might be on the verge of ushering in the Association's next dynasty suddenly finds itself facing far more concern about what its future might hold.

The second half of Prime Video's inaugural Friday night NBA doubleheader will run back another postseason clash, as LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers face Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now an NBA broadcast partner, Amazon will feature Friday night doubleheaders on Prime Video throughout the upcoming season.

Celtics' NBA Cup schedule includes two national TV tilts

As the NBA continues to unveil the schedule for the 2025-26 campaign, the league announced the group play schedules for the Emirates NBA Cup.

Boston is in Group B in the Eastern Conference. The Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets comprise the former's pool play competitors.

On Wednesday, the NBA announced that when the Celtics take on the Sixers in "The City of Brotherly Love," their rivalry clash will air on Prime Video.

After losing to the 76ers on Christmas at TD Garden last season, Boston won the next three tilts against Philadelphia, winning their regular-season series 3-1.

That matchup is one of two nationally televised Celtics Emirates NBA Cup contests.

Nov. 26, when they host the Pistons, ESPN will feature that contest. Boston also won that 2024-25 regular-season series 3-1.

While raising Banner 19 to the TD Garden rafters seems unlikely in 2026, perhaps the Celtics will hoist their first NBA Cup this year. The Lakers earned that honor the first time around. The Milwaukee Bucks then captured it last season.

For those needing a refresher on how the Emirates NBA Cup works, former Celtic Blake Griffin, who will be a studio analyst on Prime this season, provided a breakdown of the competition's structure.