Boston plays its home opener tonight against a Knicks team that is also 0-1, two days after losing 113-121 at Detroit. The loudest response to that loss came from Mitchell Robinson, who, per Boston.com, was not happy with his own debut.
Robinson's verdict on his own debut is the story of the week.
Boston.com reported that Robinson was openly critical of his first game as a Celtic, and MassLive reported that he talked through an injury scare and facing the Knicks for the first time. His role is narrow and measurable. Last season he averaged 8.8 rebounds in 19.6 minutes across 60 games. New York brings Karl-Anthony Towns, who averaged 11.9 rebounds, and Josh Hart, at 7.4. Whether Boston wins that matchup depends largely on Robinson's minutes.
One loss has already moved the outside verdict a long way.
Boston fell from 4th to 21st in the power rankings within a week, on the evidence of a single road game. That is a lot of conclusion for one game. Paul George's 38 points were the bright spot at Detroit, and MassLive reported that he was fined afterward.
The schedule offers a quick chance to correct course.
Both teams come in on two days' rest. After the Knicks, Boston hosts the Bulls on October 26 and the Nets on October 27, then the Bulls again on October 30 in an Emirates NBA Cup game before visiting Orlando on November 1. Devin Carter, the two-way guard on the injury report, is listed out for illness with an estimated return of November 8.
The open question is whether the scoring spreads out.
George averaged 17.3 points in 37 games last season, so a 38-point night is not something to plan around. Jalen Brunson averaged 26.0 for a New York team that went 53-29 and played at a 97.7 pace, against Boston's 95.6. If the Celtics need George at his opening-night level to keep up, the home opener will show it quickly.
When do the Celtics play the Knicks?
Tonight, October 23, at TD Garden, on Prime Video. It is Boston's home opener, and both teams enter at 0-1.
Is Devin Carter playing against the Knicks?
No. He is listed out for illness, with an estimated return of November 8.
