Boston Celtics Snubbed by NBA Schedule: Jaylen Brown's Revenge Mission Ignored
The Boston Celtics' opening week schedule has sent a clear message about Jaylen Brown's revenge mission against his former team. Despite being one of the most anticipated matchups of the season, the Celtics' first game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, October 20, at 3 p.m. ET is not a high-visibility broadcast window.
The NBA's decision to pair the Philadelphia 76ers, Brown's new team, against the New York Knicks on the same night, rather than against the Celtics, has sparked debate among fans and analysts. John Karalis, a longtime Celtics insider, argued that the league's choice of time slots tells a revealing story.
"The Sixers and Knicks are the East's two contenders, while Boston and Detroit are somewhere behind them," Karalis wrote.
The league's decision to prioritize the 76ers' matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, rather than against the Celtics, has also raised eyebrows. "The NBA is about money, and they will put whatever matchup on television they think makes the most money," Karalis noted.
What happened?
The Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in July, ending a decade-long partnership with Jayson Tatum that produced a 2024 championship and a Finals MVP for Brown. The move came after the Celtics blew a 3-1 first-round playoff lead to the 76ers last season, after Tatum was sidelined for most of the season with an Achilles injury.
Why it matters for Boston Celtics
The Celtics' decision to trade Brown has been met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts. While some see it as a necessary move to rebuild the team, others believe it was a mistake to let Brown go. "There was a bit of a lack of respect," Brown said on a Twitch stream shortly after the trade.
What comes next?
The Celtics will face the Detroit Pistons in their first game of the season, while Brown's 76ers will face the New York Knicks. The two teams are guaranteed at least four regular-season meetings, with a fifth possible depending on how the NBA Cup bracket shakes out.
Last result: Boston Celtics 100-109 Philadelphia 76ers (2026-05-02). The Celtics have lost their last five games, with a recent form of 0W-0D-5L (LLLLL, most recent first).
In the meantime, Brown has been focusing on his new team, saying, "It's just one day at a time." The Celtics, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing season last year.
The NBA's decision to snub the Celtics' revenge mission against Brown's 76ers has sparked debate among fans and analysts. While some see it as a business decision, others believe it's a sign of disrespect towards the Celtics and their fans.
