The 2026-2027 NBA schedule is out, and the Celtics now know where they’ll be from October to April as they look to bounce back from a first-round exit last year.
While there’s no telling exactly how the year will play out – and which teams will under- and overachieve – it’s already clear that the team will embark on several lengthy road trips that will help shape the trajectory of the season.
The Celtics have one 6-game road trip, three 4-game road trips, and three 3-game road trips on the books. Here
are their most difficult road trips, ranked.
1. December 30th – January 9th: 6-game road trip that includes games against the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Celtics haven’t had a 6-game road trip since March of 2025, when they became the first team in franchise history to go a perfect 6-0 in one road trip. They’ll look to replicate that success this winter when they face three Western Conference playoff teams from last year, and a Jazz squad that could be much-improved. The Bulls and Clippers should be easier outs, but there’s no telling how competitive this road trip will end up being.
2. November 6th – November 11th: 4-game road trip that includes games against the Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors
The Hornets, 76ers, and Raptors are all expected to be in the playoff mix this season, and the Celtics will face all three teams as part of their first 3+ game road trip of the season. Philadelphia just might end up being the best team in the East after adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in the offseason, and the Raptors are expected to add Kawhi (pending a conclusion to the end of the Aspiration investigation). The fact that Philadelphia and Toronto are on a back-to-back doesn’t make things easier.
3. March 27th – April 1st: 4-game road trip that includes games against the Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, and Cleveland Cavaliers
The Heat and Pacers should both be better than last year now that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton are in the mix. And, the Cavaliers should once again be among the East’s top teams. This trip could end up featuring three Eastern Conference playoff opponents in less than a week.
4. November 18th- November 24th: 4-game road trip that includes games against the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and Washington Wizards
The Nuggets are no longer one of the perennial teams in the WNBA, but they’re still led by one of the best duos in the game in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray — and they’re not even three years removed from a title. Golden State is probably not a playoff team, and neither are the Wizards, but both teams should at least be better than they were last year. But the lack of back-to-backs and quality opponents makes this trip potentially easier.
5. February 28th – March 5th: 3-game road trip that includes games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons
This is yet another trip that features three likely playoff teams, including last year’s top team in the East, the Pacers (with Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubak), and a Timberwolves squad headlined by Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.
