The short answer is no. If you’re looking to catch Jaylen Brown and the crew tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026, you’re out of luck.
Boston is actually in the middle of a travel day. They just wrapped up a gritty win against the Miami Heat last night at the Kaseya Center—final score 119-114, by the way—and now they’re heading up to Atlanta. It’s that classic NBA grind where you barely have time to unpack your bags before the next tip-off.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a breather for a team that has been through the wringer lately. After a heavy stretch of games, a Friday night off in mid-January is basically a luxury for Joe Mazzulla’s squad. You’ve probably noticed the rotation looks a bit thin lately, and that's not by accident.
Why the Celtics Schedule Is Tricky Right Now
The big question isn't just "do the Celtics play today," but rather how they're going to survive this coming week. While there's no game tonight, the schedule is about to get incredibly dense.
They tip off against the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, at 7:30 PM ET. That game is being held at the State Farm Arena, so the team is likely already settling into their hotel in Georgia as you read this. If you’re planning your weekend around it, you can catch the broadcast on NBC Sports Boston or FDSSE if you're in the local Atlanta market.
The Upcoming Slate
- Saturday, Jan 17: @ Atlanta Hawks (7:30 PM ET)
- Monday, Jan 19: @ Detroit Pistons (8:00 PM ET) – This is a big MLK Day matchup on NBC/Peacock.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: vs. Indiana Pacers (7:30 PM ET) – Finally back at the TD Garden.
- Friday, Jan 23: @ Brooklyn Nets (7:30 PM ET)
The Elephant in the Room: Jayson Tatum’s Absence
Let’s be real—the Celtics look a lot different right now than we expected they would a year ago. The biggest reason people keep checking the schedule is to see if Jayson Tatum is back.
He’s not.
Tatum is still sidelined recovering from that devastating Achilles surgery from May 2025. The medical staff has been super vague, but the consensus among insiders is that we might not see him until the very end of this regular season, perhaps late March 2026 if everything goes perfectly. It’s a huge bummer. You can tell the team misses that "go-to" scoring late in the fourth quarter, even though they managed to sneak past Miami last night.
Without Tatum, Jaylen Brown has been absolutely carrying the load. He’s averaging nearly 30 points over the last ten games. He's been forced into a role where he has to be the primary creator, the defensive stopper, and the emotional leader all at once. It’s exhausting just watching it.
Who Else is Banging Up?
It's not just the superstar. The injury report is a bit of a mess right now.
- Josh Minott: Out with a left ankle sprain. He’s likely out until at least the 17th or 19th.
- Anfernee Simons: He’s been a great pickup, but he's been logging massive minutes lately, which is always a concern for his longevity through the spring.
- Kristaps Porzingis: Remember, he's with the Hawks now! So when the Celtics play tomorrow, they'll be facing their old "Unicorn" teammate. That's going to be a weird vibe for the locker room.
How to Watch the Next Game
Since you can't watch them today, you'll want to be ready for the Atlanta game. If you've ditched cable, your best bets are Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV. All of them carry NBC Sports Boston.
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If you're out of market, NBA League Pass is the move, but watch out for those annoying local blackouts. Honestly, the Peacock exclusive games (like the one coming up against Detroit on Monday) are becoming the new normal, so make sure your login actually works before the 8:00 PM tip-off.
The Hawks are currently sitting at 20-23, while the Celtics are 25-15. On paper, Boston should handle them, but Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson has been playing like an All-Star lately. He’s putting up 23/10/8 lines like it's nothing.
Actionable Tips for Celtics Fans
Since there is no game tonight, use this time to get your setup ready for the weekend stretch.
- Check your Peacock subscription: The Monday game against Detroit is a national exclusive on Peacock and NBC. If you don't have it, you'll miss the MLK Day special.
- Monitor the Saturday Injury Report: NBA teams usually drop their official status updates around 1:30 PM ET and 5:30 PM ET. Keep an eye on whether Al Horford (who is currently with the Warriors but remains a fan favorite) or other veterans are getting "rest" days.
- Sync your calendar: The Celtics play four games in the next seven days. It’s a heavy volume week that will likely determine if they can stay in the top three of the Eastern Conference.
Tomorrow's game in Atlanta starts at 7:30 PM ET. Make sure you're tuned in to see if Jaylen Brown can keep this improbable winning streak alive without his partner in crime.