Boston will begin its 2026-27 preseason against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The game marks a new era after Jaylen Brown was traded to Philadelphia and Jayson Tatum became the centerpiece of a reshaped Celtics roster.
According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics have gone 159 days without a game since their Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, matching Boston's longest gap between games since 2016.
Tatum is entering his first full season since undergoing Achilles surgery in May 2025.
Boston also added Paul George, Mitchell Robinson and veteran guard Mike Conley.
The preseason opener will provide an early look at how coach Joe Mazzulla plans to distribute roles, although the Boston Herald noted that Mazzulla rested several regulars in each of the first two preseason games last year.
Tatum's health remains a central issue after he returned from surgery late last season without reaching his previous level of conditioning.
He had described himself as playing at “80 to 85%” capacity during a 16-game regular-season stretch in which he averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, according to the Boston Herald.
The roster changes also put greater attention on George, who is expected to occupy Brown's former starting position.
George said he views himself as part of Tatum's supporting cast and intends to make life easier for Boston's “superstar.”
George also addressed expectations surrounding his individual form during Celtics Media Day.
“I'm still capable of doing those things when healthy and I feel like my body is back healthy.
I feel I'm capable of doing those things again.” said Paul George.
The center position is another major competition.
Mitchell Robinson arrives after Boston signed him to a three-year, $47.4 million deal, while Neemias Queta is coming off the best statistical season of his career, according to NESN and CelticsBlog.
Queta praised rookie Chris Cenac Jr.'s combination of size, athleticism and versatility, saying he can be “a juggernaut in this league.”
Cenac is 6-foot-11 and 19 years old, making him Boston's youngest player.
Payton Pritchard also could receive a larger role following Brown's departure.
NESN reported that Mazzulla has not indicated whether Pritchard will start, while the Boston Herald identified Boston's crowded wing group as another preseason battle involving Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh and Ron Harper Jr.
Boston's defensive structure could change under the NBA's 2026-27 emphasis on freedom of movement.
CelticsBlog reported that the league is focusing on off-arm push-offs, screener push-offs, off-ball hand-checking and contact that impedes straight-line drives.
The Celtics ranked fourth defensively last season but were 28th in steals and 29th in forcing turnovers, according to CelticsBlog.
The addition of Robinson and George could give Boston more length and create opportunities to pressure passing lanes.
Boston's preseason schedule also includes games against Philadelphia and Charlotte, according to Yahoo Sports.
Five non-roster players are competing for Boston's final open two-way contract slot: Devin Carter, Hayden Gray, Milos Uzan, Gabe McGlothan and Tucker DeVries.
