Celtics will raise banner, get championship rings during season-opening game against Knicks: report

The Celtics will reportedly host a longtime rival when they usher in the 2024-25 NBA season with a long-awaited banner and ring ceremony.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Boston will welcome the Knicks to TD Garden for its first game of the 2024-25 season on Oct. 22 — with the reigning-champion Celtics set to raise Banner 18 that evening.

Charania also released details on several other key dates for the Celtics, with Boston expected to host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day.

In addition, Charania reported that the Celtics will have their anticipated rematches against the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 25 in Dallas and on Feb. 6 in Boston. The Celtics defeated the Mavericks in five games during the 2024 NBA Finals en route to their sought-after championship.

This marks the second-straight season where Boston has opened a new NBA campaign against the Knicks. The Celtics beat New York, 108-104, on Oct. 25, 2023 at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks stand as arguably the top threat to Boston in the Eastern Conference, with an already strong New York roster featuring Jalen Brunson, O.G. Anunoby, and Julius Randle further bolstered after trading for star wing Mikal Bridges this offseason.

Still, the Celtics won four out of their five games against the Knicks last season, and should be motivated after finally raising a new banner to the Garden rafters on Oct. 22.

The full schedule for the 2024-25 season will be released by the NBA later this month.