With a brutal winter storm sweeping across much of the country and NBA travel plans thrown into chaos, the Boston Celtics return home to TD Garden for a crucial stretch that could help define the trajectory of their regular season. The timing couldn’t be more pivotal. With the trade deadline looming on February 8 and All-Star Weekend right behind it (February 13-15), the next two weeks offer Boston a prime opportunity to solidify its standing in the Eastern Conference.
Here’s the slate ahead: seven of the next nine games are at home.
- Jan. 26 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- Jan. 28 vs. Atlanta Hawks
- Jan. 30 vs. Sacramento Kings
- Feb. 1 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Feb. 3 at Dallas Mavericks
- Feb. 4 at Houston Rockets
- Feb. 6 vs. Miami Heat
- Feb. 8 vs. New York Knicks
- Feb. 11 vs. Chicago Bulls
It’s not exactly the toughest stretch on paper - aside from the back-to-back in Texas - but this is the NBA, and no win is guaranteed. Especially not for a Celtics team that, despite sitting comfortably near the top of the standings, hasn’t always looked the part lately.
January was supposed to be the softest part of Boston’s schedule. Instead, they’ve gone 8-5 so far - solid, but not dominant.
And the margin for error has been razor-thin. Their last 10 games?
A .500 record, with losses to the Nuggets, Spurs, Pistons, and Bulls coming by a combined 15 points. That’s the kind of stretch that leaves a team feeling like it let a few get away.
The standings reflect it, too. While Boston is still in the mix for the top seed, there’s only a five-game cushion between them and the Play-In zone. In a crowded Eastern Conference, that’s a blink-and-you’re-out kind of gap.
So what’s at stake here? A strong run - say, 7-2 or 8-1 - could do more than just pad the win column.
It could reestablish the Celtics as the dominant force they looked like earlier in the year. It could also give the front office a bit more clarity heading into the trade deadline.
But don’t expect Brad Stevens to be swayed too much by the win-loss record over the next couple of weeks. He’s been around long enough to know what he has in this roster. And if Jayson Tatum is on track for a return soon, that changes the calculus even more.
Still, the Celtics’ brass has decisions to make. The team is well above the luxury tax line, and while this group has championship potential, there’s always room to tighten the rotation - especially if Tatum’s health remains a question mark. Another steady contributor could help stabilize things down the stretch.
There’s also the financial side of things. Don’t be surprised if Boston explores ways to trim salary or move an expiring contract - Anfernee Simons’ $27 million deal, for example, could be a useful chip.
That’s just part of the NBA’s annual trade season chaos. Rumors will swirl, names will be floated, and every top-tier team will be linked to some kind of move.
It’s the nature of the beast.
But here’s the reality: even with the recent stumbles, the Celtics are still one of the most well-rounded teams in the league. Jaylen Brown could be suiting up as an All-Star starter.
Tatum’s return would be a massive boost. And through 45 games, head coach Joe Mazzulla and his staff have proven they know how to get the most out of this roster.
The front office has built a group that fits Boston’s identity - tough, smart, and unselfish - and the players have responded.
This upcoming homestand isn’t just about wins. It’s about momentum, identity, and showing the rest of the league that Boston is still very much in the hunt. The next nine games won’t define the season - but they just might shape where it’s headed.