The Boston Celtics find themselves in a challenging position as they navigate the 2025 NBA Cup, an exciting in-season tournament that kicked off on Halloween and will wrap up in mid-December. Despite recently winning three consecutive games to bring their season record to 8-7, the Celtics have much to accomplish to improve their standing in Group B of the tournament.
Currently, the Celtics are competing in a group that includes the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets. After having played two games, the Celtics hold a 1-1 record, with a concerning point differential of negative-12. They managed a narrow victory over the 76ers with a score of 109-108, but suffered a defeat against the Magic, losing 123-110.
This Friday evening, the Celtics will host the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET, and a significant win is crucial if they hope to advance beyond the group stage. To keep their aspirations alive, Boston will need a decisive win, potentially by over 20 points, to improve their point differential and enhance their standings.
The NBA Cup format consists of a group stage where all 30 teams are divided into six groups of five, engaging in four games against their group opponents. The top team from each group, along with the best second-place team from each conference, will progress to the knockout rounds.
In Group B, each team’s performance during these games will count towards their regular-season record, with tiebreakers including head-to-head records and point differentials. The knockout rounds are scheduled to begin with quarterfinals on December 9 and 10, culminating in semifinals and finals held in Las Vegas.
For Boston, the stakes are high. They currently trail the Pistons by 39 points and the Magic by 32 points in terms of point differential. With Orlando’s next game against the Sixers on Tuesday, and the Celtics’ final Group B match against Detroit on Wednesday, Boston fans have a lot to root for: a significant victory over Brooklyn, followed by an unfavorable outcome for Orlando.
While the odds may appear daunting, a compelling performance against the Nets could ignite a path for the Celtics in this tournament. An emphatic win would not only boost their morale but also provide a glimmer of hope for advancing to the knockout stage.