Celtics NBA Cup Opponents Set as Full NBA Schedule Looms

The Boston Celtics have four additional dates added to their upcoming calendar following the release of the group stage schedule for the NBA Cup. The midseason tournament, formerly known as the In-Season Tournament, integrates these group-play matchups into the regular season slate, giving fans a clearer look at the team’s early November itinerary.

Boston’s group stage play will tip off on Oct. 30 against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. The team then hits the road for a Nov. 6 meeting with the Charlotte Hornets. Later in the month, the Celtics will visit the Washington Wizards on Nov. 24 in a game broadcast on NBC, before returning home to face the Atlanta Hawks on Nov. 27.

The tournament format spans four weeks of group play. Should the Celtics advance past this stage, the quarterfinals are scheduled for Dec. 4 or 5, with the semifinals following on Dec. 8 or 9. The championship game is set for Dec. 11.

These newly revealed games bring the total number of confirmed matchups for the franchise to seven. The NBA previously announced two opening-week contests and a Christmas Day showdown. The league’s complete regular-season schedule is expected to be released on Thursday afternoon.

Games broadcast on NBC will fall under the media portfolio of Comcast Corporation. Comcast, through its NBCUniversal subsidiary, holds rights to broadcast NBA games, providing exposure for the league on its network and streaming platforms. The company’s stock was recently trading at $25.29.

What to watch

• The release of the full NBA schedule on Thursday afternoon.
• Quarterfinal and semifinal dates in early December if Boston advances.
• NBC viewership numbers for the Nov. 24 game against the Wizards.

Source: original release