On Tuesday night, the 2024-25 NBA season kicks off with a rivalry matchup between the Celtics and Knicks at TD Garden. Prior to the game, Boston will be honored with its championship rings and will raise Banner 18 to the rafters.
The reigning champions will need to quickly shift their focus to face a New York team that made significant offseason moves by acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. In this writer’s view, the Knicks pose the biggest external challenge to the Celtics.
Unfortunately for New York, the injury report is piling up even before the season has officially started.
Landry Shamet dislocated his right shoulder, leading the Knicks to waive him with plans to re-sign him once he’s recovered. On Sunday, it was reported that center Precious Achiuwa is dealing with a strained left hamstring and will be re-evaluated in two to four weeks, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Additionally, Mitchell Robinson, another key player in the frontcourt, has not fully recovered from his foot surgery in May and won’t be ready for the start of the season.
Robinson sustained a stress injury to his left foot during the playoffs, following a December surgery on the same foot to fix a stress fracture. The Knicks are reportedly aiming for a December or January return for him, depending on his rehab progress. This situation leaves New York relying on Karl-Anthony Towns and Jericho Sims as their primary options at center for opening night against the Celtics and until Achiuwa is back from his hamstring injury.
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