The New York Knicks’ first game of the 2024-25 NBA season should be revealing.
According to Shams Charania of The AthleticThe Knicks will open the NBA season against the Boston Celtics in Boston.
The Celtics will also receive their 2024 championship rings on opening night.
It will be a benchmark game for the Knicks, who not only dream of competing for a championship, but are also prepared to play the Celtics. Specifically, it will be an opportunity to see how the defensive forward duo of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, arguably the best defensive forward duo in the NBA, fare against Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
The Knicks went 1-4 against Boston last season (they played an extra game because of the season-ending tournament) but handed the Celtics their only home loss to an Eastern Conference opponent.
In fact, since March 2023, the Knicks are the only Eastern Conference team to have beaten the Celtics in Boston.
Since March 2023, the Celtics have a 28-2 record at home against Eastern Conference opponents.
Boston’s only two losses have come to New York. https://t.co/8bXu1Ymzfq
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) August 12, 2024
Of course, it will be just the first game of 82. A New York win doesn’t automatically mean they’re a championship contender, nor does a loss guarantee they’re not a threat to make the Eastern Conference finals. But it will still be a benchmark game for the Knicks to kick off their season — a win would certainly get the hype train rolling.
NBA Opening Night can’t come soon enough.
