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Boston Celtics Daily Links 10/20/26

The Boston Celtics kicked off their 2026-27 campaign with a 3:00 p.m. ET matchup against the Detroit Pistons, marking the franchise’s first game under new head coach Joe Mazzulla following the high-profile trade of star guard Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The season opener serves as an early test for Boston’s revamped roster, which now includes All-Star forward Paul George, who has embraced the Celtics’ fluid offensive system while sporting jersey number 13—a nod to his past with the Indiana Pacers. With Jayson Tatum leading the charge, the team enters the year with optimism, though questions remain about how quickly the new-look squad can gel after a grueling playoff run and the loss of Brown.

Meanwhile, the NBA’s unusual afternoon start time adds a unique twist to the highly anticipated matchup, with analysts already dissecting the matchup between Tatum and Pistons forward Cade Cunningham as a key storyline. The game also highlights Mazzulla’s ambitious vision for the franchise, which includes setting bold benchmarks for success in a competitive Eastern Conference.

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