Celtics playoff schedule: dates and scenarios for the 2024 East Finals originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics advanced to their sixth Eastern Conference Finals in eight years, a remarkable feat that should not be taken for granted.
But their path to Banner 18 is about to become much more challenging.
After completing a gentlemen sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers without Donovan Mitchell on Wednesday night, the Celtics await the winner of the other East semifinal series between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. The Knicks currently lead the series 3-2 heading into Friday night’s Game 6 in Indiana, but the Pacers have yet to lose at home in the series and are slight betting favorites to force Game 7 back in New York on Sunday .
Game 6, as well as Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves (with Denver currently leading 3-2) could impact when the Celtics begin their next series. See how:
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If the Nuggets and Knicks both win Game 6 to end their respective series, Game 1 of the East Finals will be Sunday, May 19th in Jardim TD.
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If any Wolves-Nuggets or Knicks-Pacers go seven games, Game 1 of the East Final will be Tuesday, May 21st in Jardim TD.
With Kristaps Porzingis still working after calf injury and 37-year-old Al Horford recovering from an epic 35-minute effortt in game 5the Celtics could benefit from a few extra days of rest.
So C fans should be rooting for the Wolves to beat the Nuggets in Game 6 (8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday). If Denver wins, they should look to beat the Pacers in Game 6 against the Knicks (8:30 p.m. ET on Friday).
Aside from the series start date and opponent, the Boston East Finals schedule is pretty much set. Below is a look at each of the Celtics’ playoff schedule scenarios for the next round.
NBC Sports Boston will have coverage starting one hour before each game with Celtics pregame liveas well as range coverage with Celtics halftime live and post-game coverage with Celtics postgame live.
If Nuggets AND Knicks win Game 6
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Game 1: Knicks x Celtics; Sunday, May 19 – 3:30 pm ET (ABC)
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Game 2: Knicks x Celtics; Tuesday, May 21 – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 3: Celtics vs. Knicks; Saturday, May 25 – 8:30 pm ET (ABC)
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Game 4: Celtics vs. Knicks; Monday, May 27 – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 5:* Knicks vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 29 – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 6:*Celtics at Knicks; Friday, May 31 – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 7:*Knicks x Celtics; Sunday, June 2nd – 8pm ET (ESPN)
*If necessary
If EITHER Knicks OR Nuggets lose Game 6
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Game 1: Knicks/Pacers x Celtics; Tuesday, May 21 – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 2: Knicks/Pacers x Celtics; Thursday, May 13 – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 3: Celtics vs. Knicks/Pacers; Saturday, May 25 – 8:30 pm ET (ABC)
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Game 4: Celtics vs. Knicks/Pacers; Monday, May 27th – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 5:* Knicks/Pacers x Celtics, Wednesday, May 29 – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 6:* Celtics x Knicks/Pacers; Friday, May 31 – 8pm ET (ESPN)
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Game 7:* Knicks/Pacers x Celtics; Sunday, June 2nd – 8pm ET (ESPN)
*If necessary
