With full 2021-22 schedule out, what are the Boston Celtics’ biggest games?

The NBA has officially released the full league schedule for the 2021-22 NBA season, and that of course includes the Boston Celtics, with 22 nationally televised games and 11 more tilts available via NBA TV.

With the Celtics making some serious moves to improve their team in the 2021 offseason so far, it is looking like less of a bridge year than some had assumed. But will they edge closer to contention with the roster that they have? And more importantly, what are the games that ought to be the team’s more important tests of the season? Kicking off on October 20 and continuing on to April 10, the league schedule has mostly returned to a normal range.

What are the high points for the Celtics in their 2021-22 schedule?

October 20 at New York Knicks (opening night)

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Boston gets to kick off their 2021-22 season with a solid test of the potential hierarchy of the East on opening night.

October 25 at Charlotte Hornets

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Soon after, a tilt with several former Celtics will also set the tone for the early season.

October 27 vs. Washington Wizards

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Could this be a prelude to a trade demand from Bradley Beal? Or solid evidence the Wiz will make a go of things this season?

November 4 at Miami Heat

AP Photo/Steven Senne

Another early test of the East's potential pecking order with Kyle Lowry in the fold for the Heat, this should be an intense game.

November 6 at Dallas Mavericks

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Mavs joined Boston as one of the league's hardest-hit teams by COVID with Luca Doncic and Jayson Tatum's emergence rare bright spots for both clubs. How do these rising teams stack up against each other now?

November 12 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The team's first matchup with a contender, it will be interesting to see how the Celtics do on their home court against the reigning champs.

November 17 at Atlanta Hawks

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Yet another East order gut-check, the Celtics will hope to have a better showing against a team that gave them fits last season.

November 19 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Always a classic when these two ancient rivals meet, this season the first installment is on Boston's home court.

November 25 vs. Brooklyn Nets

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

How do the Celtics stack up against the presumptive favorites in the East? Boston gets their first crack at an answer to this question at home as well.

December 1 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Boston doesn't face their Atlantic Division rivals until the start of December, but don't expect that to make it a dull contest.

December 3 at Utah Jazz

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Perhaps Boston's toughest road test of the season to date, this should be a good look into the effectiveness of Ime Udoka's defensive chops as a coach.

December 7 at Los Angeles Lakers

AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu

Round 2 with Boston's NBA nemesis in on the West Coast. Do the Celtics have a chance on LeBron James' home court?

December 8 at Los Angeles Clippers

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Cs will try to take out the other L.A. team while out in La-La land for their pre-holidays West Coast turn.

December 13 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics try Giannis Antetokounmpo for the second time, again on their home court.

December 20 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Ashley Landis/USA TODAY Sports

Boston gets a rematch with the Sixers, this time at TD Garden.

December 25 at Milwaukee Bucks

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

For their national TV game on Christmas Day, Boston will face the Bucks at home -- buckle up!

January 2 vs. Orlando Magic

Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

The first game of the new year for the Celtics is against the rebuilding Orlando Magic -- hopefully, they don't get caught napping!

January 14 at Philadelphia 76ers

Ashley Landis/USA TODAY Sports

Another home game against the Sixers, this contest could push momentum in the standings one way or another at a key part of the season.

January 17 vs. New Orleans Pelicans

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Sure, the Pels might not have had the best offseason in the league. They still have Zion Williamson, worth the watch in and of itself.

January 31 vs. Miami Heat

AP Photo/Steven Senne

Where will these two East foes be at this time of the season? With the trade deadline starting to loom closer, this could be a contest of consequence.

February 8 at Brooklyn Nets

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

As All-Star week grows close, Boston faces a tough test against the Nets on their home court.

February 11 vs. Denver Nuggets

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Jokic makes his first appearance of the season in Boston with a potential contender -- how will the Celtics fare?

February 24 at Brooklyn Nets

Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Boston takes on Brooklyn once more as they return to action following All-Star week.

March 1 vs. Atlanta Hawks

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

The stretch run begins in earnest with a tilt against the Hawks at TD Garden.

March 6 vs. Brooklyn Nets

Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The final installment of their four-game series against Kyrie Irving, KD and the Beard.

March 12 vs. Dallas Mavericks

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

A home rematch with Luka Doncic and company may well play a big role in the Celtics' playoff seeding and serves as the backdrop for Kevin Garnett's jersey retirement.

March 16 at Golden State Warriors

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

It's always a bonkers matchup when Boston visits the Dubs in the bay, and with a healthier Warriors squad on the floor, it ought to be a compelling game.

April 1 vs Indiana Pacers

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics kick off the final month of the season with a tilt against the Pacers. Will they be back in a big way, or still struggling in the East?

April 7 at Milwaukee Bucks

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

It is unusual for Boston to face such a steep challenge this late in the season, and it'll be an exciting end to their series with Milwaukee.

April 10 at Memphis Grizzlies

Mike Ehrmann-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics close out their season on the road against a revamped Grit and Grind squad. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [lawrence-related id=57159,57155,57116,57081] [listicle id=57143]

1

1