We Now Know the Real Reason NBA Made Unusual Celtics Decision
· Yahoo Sports
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When the NBA's Opening Night schedule was revealed, Boston Celtics fans were left asking the same question.
Why an afternoon game?
The Celtics will play the first game of the 2026-27 NBA season when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons. However, instead of being a night game, tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
It wouldn't be odd if the game were being played on the weekend, but Opening Night is on a Tuesday.
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A few hours after the news broke, ESPN's Dave McMenamin shared why the NBA made that decision.
"I've talked to people around the league today, and they're like, we could sense the excitement for the NBA right now, so let's experiment with this thing," said McMenamin.
"They talked with executives at NBC, and it was kind of a joint decision that this is something we can turn into a celebration of the game. It's already a marquee moment for the league. Let's see if we can enhance it and turn it into a major showcase.
"Maybe down the line, this becomes a tradition for NBA fans. It's not that abnormal to see sporting events during the daytime in America. Also, an added bonus: it's an international game. 3 p.m. Eastern is prime time viewing in Europe."
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There will be two more games on Opening Night of the 2026-27 NBA season.
After the Celtics face the Pistons, the New York Knicks will host the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. Not only will the Knicks receive their championship rings, but LeBron James and Jaylen Brown will make their debuts with the 76ers.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will close the night with a Conference Finals rematch at 9:30 p.m.