Who do the Celtics play next? Explaining Boston's opponent in 2025 NBA playoff bracket

Gilbert McGregor

Who do the Celtics play next? Explaining Boston's opponent in 2025 NBA playoff bracket image

The defending champions are moving on.

The Celtics advanced to the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs with a 4-1 series victory over the Magic. While Boston was tested at times, it proved to be too much for an up-and-coming Orlando squad.

With the series victory, the Celtics have advanced past the first round for the fourth consecutive year, but their opponent is not yet set. Here is everything to know about who Boston could meet in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

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NBA Playoffs bracket 2025

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Who do the Celtics play next?

The Celtics will play either the No. 3 Knicks or the No. 6 Pistons in the second round. The NBA does not re-seed in the second round, meaning Boston's opponent will come from the same side of its bracket.

New York currently holds a 3-2 series lead over Detroit. The Knicks' next opportunity to close out the series will come on Thursday, May 1, when they visit the Pistons at 7:30 p.m. ET.

During the regular season, the Celtics swept their season series with the Knicks, 4-0. Boston defeated Detroit three times in four tries, meaning its combined record against potential second-round opponents is 7-1.

The Celtics last met the Knicks in the first round of the 2013 playoffs; the last playoff meeting between the Celtics and Pistons came in the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals.

MORE: Breaking down the Cavs' next playoff opponent

When do the Celtics play next?

The Celtics' next game is dependent on the finish of the Knicks-Pistons series.

There has been no final determination of Game 1 of the second round, but it will likely come on Saturday, May 3 or Monday, May 5, given that the other Eastern Conference semifinal series is confirmed to begin on Sunday, May 4.

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.