The Latest on Celtics' Injury Report for Season Opener vs. Knicks

The season opener between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks will tip off at 7:00 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden.

The 2023-24 NBA regular season has finally arrived. The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers ushered in the new campaign Tuesday night, with the defending champions earning a 119-107 win.

The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors also squared off on Tuesday, with the former pulling off a 108-104 victory in the Bay.

Wednesday, most teams get their season started. That includes the Boston Celtics, whose journey begins with a rivalry showdown against the New York at Madison Square Garden.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dunks the ball past New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23).

Boston's built the best top six in the NBA. When it comes to them meshing on the court, the group's commitment and willingness to sacrifice, whether that means coming off the bench, not closing games, or accepting fewer touches, is pivotal to their championship pursuit.

Expect the Celtics' primary starting unit to feature Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis, with Al Horford taking on the sixth-man role.

But Joe Mazzulla has emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the team's flexibility. So, against a frontcourt featuring Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson, there was a legitimate possibility Boston would counter by starting Horford alongside Porzingis.

However, at Wednesday morning's shootaround, Horford conveyed he's not in the starting lineup, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) blocks a shot by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jalen McDaniels (7).

And beyond the Celtics' top six, the second-year bench boss said on Monday at the Auerbach Center that everyone on the roster's healthy and ready to go for opening night.

Boston's first injury report of the season, which has no one on it, validates that statement.

The Celtics and Knicks will tip off at 7:00 p.m. EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the matchup before, during, and afterward. Follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown Discusses Opening Night, Importance of Clarity, Motivation, and Learning from Celtics' Legends

Joe Mazzulla Discusses His Growth and Handling Celtics' Championship Expectations: 'Swing for the Fences'

Jrue Holiday Discusses Celtics Opening Night, Teaming with Rajon Rondo, and Uplifting Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown Teams with Johnny Cupcakes to Give Back to Boston

Rajon Rondo Latest Former Celtic to Spend Time with C's

Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball