You're probably staring at the standings and wondering how a team this deep is suddenly grinding through a mid-January slog. It happens. The NBA season is a marathon, and for the Boston Celtics, the next few weeks are basically the "dog days" where rotation depth gets tested and veteran legs start to feel the miles. If you're looking for the quick answer to when is the Celtics next game, set your alarm for Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The C's are heading into Atlanta to take on the Hawks at State Farm Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.
Honestly, this road trip couldn't come at a weirder time. Boston is currently sitting at 24-15, which is solid—good enough for 3rd in the Eastern Conference—but they’ve dropped two straight, including a frustrating 98-96 loss to the Pacers. They aren't panicking in the locker room, but fans are definitely checking the calendar to see when the ship gets righted.
Breaking down the upcoming Celtics schedule
After they wrap up with the Hawks on Saturday, the travel schedule doesn't let up immediately. They’ve got a back-to-back-ish vibe going on as they head to Detroit on Monday, January 19, to face the Pistons. That one’s an 8:00 PM EST start.
Here is the immediate outlook for the next few matchups:
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- Saturday, Jan 17: @ Atlanta Hawks (7:30 PM EST)
- Monday, Jan 19: @ Detroit Pistons (8:00 PM EST)
- Wednesday, Jan 21: vs. Indiana Pacers (7:30 PM EST) – Finally back at TD Garden.
- Friday, Jan 23: @ Brooklyn Nets (7:30 PM EST)
It's a lot of hopping around the Eastern seaboard. If you're trying to catch the games on TV, your best bet is usually NBC Sports Boston for the local broadcast. For the national folks, keep an eye on the schedule as these matchups sometimes get flexed, though the Jan 21 home game against Indy is already circled as a "revenge game" for many in the fan base.
The Jayson Tatum-sized hole in the lineup
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: Jayson Tatum. He's been out since his right Achilles repair surgery, and the latest reports suggest he’s still a ways off. We're looking at late March 2026 at the absolute earliest before he even thinks about putting on a jersey for a game.
Managing without a First-Team All-NBA talent is brutal. Joe Mazzulla has been leaning heavily on Jaylen Brown, who, to be fair, is playing some of the best basketball of his career. Brown is averaging nearly 30 points a game this month. But you can see the fatigue in the fourth quarter when the spacing gets wonky.
Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have stepped up into massive roles, but the margin for error is razor-thin. When you lose by two points to Indiana, you really feel the absence of that 6'8" wing who can just go get you a bucket in isolation.
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What to watch for against the Hawks
Atlanta is currently 10th in the East (20-22), which means they are fighting for their life in the Play-In race. They always play Boston tough at home.
The matchup to watch is definitely the perimeter defense. With Josh Minott dealing with a left ankle sprain (he's questionable for Saturday), the Celtics' bench is getting thin. They need Chris Boucher back from his illness to provide some length, especially if Trae Young starts hunting switches.
One interesting thing about the Jan 17 game? It’s a "City Edition" night in Atlanta. Expect a lot of flashy jerseys and a loud crowd. The Hawks haven't been world-beaters this year, but they’ve got a +6 points differential in their last few home wins. Boston’s defense, which is currently ranked 2nd in the league for points allowed, will need to be perfect to stop the bleeding.
Standing in the East
The East is a bit of a mess right now. Detroit—yes, the Pistons—are actually leading the conference at 29-10. The Knicks are half a game ahead of Boston for the 2nd spot.
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- Detroit Pistons (29-10)
- New York Knicks (25-15)
- Boston Celtics (24-15)
- Toronto Raptors (25-17)
The Celtics have the best Net Rating in the conference (+6.8), which usually suggests they are a better team than their record shows. They've just been unlucky in close games lately. Getting a win in Atlanta is basically mandatory if they want to keep pace with New York before the All-Star break.
How to watch and ticket info
If you're looking to head to the Garden soon, the next home game isn't until Wednesday the 21st against the Pacers. Tickets are starting around $53, which isn't bad for a mid-week game, but expect those prices to jump if it's a "Jaylen Brown Bobblehead" night or something similar later in the month.
For the away games, you're stuck with League Pass if you're outside the Boston/Atlanta market. Just remember that NBA League Pass has those annoying blackout restrictions, so if you're local, stick to NBC Sports Boston.
Basically, the Celtics are in a "hold the line" phase. They aren't the juggernaut they were when fully healthy, but they are still dangerous. Watch for Mazzulla to experiment with some double-big lineups against Atlanta to try and dominate the glass, especially since they've been getting out-rebounded in Tatum's absence.
Key Takeaways for Fans:
- Check the injury report about 90 minutes before tip-off on Saturday to see if Josh Minott or Chris Boucher are cleared.
- Monitor Jaylen Brown’s minutes; if he’s pushed over 40 again, the Monday game in Detroit might be a "rest" spot for some of the veterans.
- Focus on the defensive rotations—Boston wins when they keep teams under 110 points.
To stay on top of the schedule, sync your digital calendar with the official NBA app or keep a tab open for the NBC Sports Boston broadcast guide, as start times can occasionally shift by 15-30 minutes for national TV purposes.