The Celtics are still awaiting their Eastern Conference Finals opponent after beating the Cavs on Wednesday night but the NBA officially released two schedule scenarios for the team based on the outcomes of still ongoing series. The Knicks currently lead the Pacers 3-2 in the other Eastern Conference Semifinals with Game 6 looming on Friday night in Indiana.
If the Knicks and Nuggets win Game 6 to clinch their spots in the next round this week, the Celtics will host Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks on Sunday afternoon with a 3:30 p.m. start. However, if the Pacers or Timberwolves force a Game 7 against the Knicks or Nuggets respectively, the Celtics won’t host Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals until Tuesday on TD Garden.
Boston will be well rested for either scenario after wrapping up their series in five games against the Cavs on Wednesday night. However, the team will likely be rooting for a later series start to give Kristaps Porzingis some extra time to recover from his calf strain before the next round. The big man has progressed to light on-court workouts this week but has missed six consecutive games since suffering the injury against the Heat.
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The Celtics will be heavy favorites against either the injury-depleted Knicks or the inexperienced Pacers for any potential matchup in the Conference Finals. The Pacers will look to keep their season alive against the Knicks back in Indiana on Friday night after an ugly blowout loss to New York in Game 5.
Here are the two full series schedule possibilities depending on the results of the remaining series.
If Knicks/Pacers and Nuggets/Wolves series ends in six games:
Game 1: Knicks at Celtics on Sunday, May 19, 3:30 p.m.(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 2: Knicks at Celtics on Tuesday, May 21, 8 p.m.(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 3: Celtics at Knicks on Saturday, May 25, 8:30 p.m.(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 4: Celtics at Knicks on Monday, May 27, 8 p.m.(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 5: Knicks at Celtics on Wednesday, May 29, 8 p.m. (if necessary)(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 6: Celtics at Knicks on Friday, May 31, 8 p.m. (if necessary)(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 7: Knicks at Celtics on Sunday, June 2, 8 p.m. (if necessary)(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
If Knicks/Pacers or Nuggets/Wolves series goes seven games:
Game 1: Knicks/Pacers at Celtics on Tuesday, May 21, 8 p.m.(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 2: Knicks/Pacers at Celtics on Thursday, May 23, 8 p.m.(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 3: Celtics at Knicks/Pacers on Saturday, May 25, 8:30 p.m.(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 4: Celtics at Knicks/Pacers on Monday, May 27, 8 p.m.(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 5: Knicks/Pacers at Celtics on Wednesday, May 29, 8 p.m. (if necessary)(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 6: Celtics at Knicks/Pacers on Friday, May 31, 8 p.m. (if necessary)(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)
Game 7: Knicks/Pacers at Celtics on Sunday, June 2, 8 p.m. (if necessary)(Tickets: StubHub | Vividseats)