Chronicles of the Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Series History

When Do the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics Play Next?

Brooklyn Nets tickets and Boston Celtics tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics Rivals?

Yes, the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics have a fierce rivalry within the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the NBA. While the Celtics are one of the most historic franchises in the NBA, their recent rivalry developed more intensity over the last 20 years due to transactions, playoff series and off-the-court controversy.

Who Are the Brooklyn Nets’ Biggest Rivals?

The Brooklyn Nets have rivalries with all teams within the Atlantic Division of the NBA’s Eastern Conference: the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors. In the 2022–2023 season, all five teams within the division made the NBA Playoffs, with the Celtics winning the division titles.

Who Are the Boston Celtics’ Biggest Rivals?

The Celtics have the most intense rivalry in the NBA, and one of the most intense rivalries in all of sports, with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Boston Celtics also have rivalries with all Atlantic Division opponents in the East such as the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors. Within the Eastern Conference, the Celtics also have a rivalry with the Miami Heat.

Game Results Between the Nets & Celtics

In their time in both New Jersey and Brooklyn, the Nets have played the Celtics 230 times coming into the 2023 season. Boston has a significant advantage in the head-to-head series wins, 137–74. However, the Nets have a 12–7 advantage in NBA Playoff games, including three series wins to one series win from Boston. The Celtics have the three longest winning streaks in this match-up, including 12 straight wins from 2007–2010.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics History

Not only do the Nets and Celtics have a rivalry on the court, but the two franchises also have had strife off the court, fueling the rivalry for fans, players and coaches alike. The two franchises compete for supremacy in their division, and bragging rights in the northeast.

While the Celtics have the history, and the claim to the most successful franchise in NBA history, Brooklyn has tried to capture their first title and a new generation of fans. They’ve done this through new ownership, new coaching hires and superstar acquisitions. First, Brooklyn acquired All-Stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics.

Pierce and Garnett won an NBA title for the Celtics in 2007, the franchise’s only NBA title in the 21st century. Brooklyn owner Mikhail Prokhorov hoped the stars would be able to repeat that success in New York City in 2013, but the team was marred by injury and a lack of chemistry. In return, the Celtics got three first round picks and began their rebuild.

After Pierce and Garnett departed several years later, the Nets also began their rebuild under new owner Joe Tsai and new leadership in GM Sean Marks. After clever roster management, the Nets again went the route of acquiring superstars, signing MVP Kevin Durant and All-Star Kyrie Irving in 2019. Irving spent a handful of seasons previously with the Celtics, but left under circumstances between the star player and Boston management.

On the court, the Nets and Celtics collided twice in the playoffs in 2021 and 2022. The Nets, powered by Durant and Irving, knocked out Boston in the Eastern Conference First Round in five games. However, a year later the Celtics exacted their revenge, sweeping Brooklyn in the First Round on the way to an NBA Finals appearance.

Where Do the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets Play?

The Boston Celtics have called TD Garden their home since 1995. TD Garden replaced the old Boston Garden and is commonly called “The Garden” and “The House that Bill Russell Built.” The stadium seats 19,156 fans for home games. TD Garden also plays host to the NHL’s Boston Bruins.

Barclays Center marked the Nets official move to Brooklyn. Located in the heart of the New York City borough, Barclays Center opened in 2012 and cost roughly $1 billion to construct. The multi-purpose arena also hosts the New York Liberty of the WNBA.