Celtics schedule 2020-21: Dates, times, opponents for first half of season

If you blinked, you may have missed the NBA offseason.

It's been just over two months since the Boston Celtics bowed out to the Miami Heat in the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals.

But the 2020-21 NBA season already is upon us: Individual player workouts began this week, team workouts start next week and the Celtics play their first preseason game in 11 days.

The C's enter the 2020-21 campaign with some fresh faces: Veterans Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague and rookies Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard are in, while Gordon Hayward, Brad Wanamaker, Enes Kanter and Vincent Poirier are out.

Celtics Talk Podcast: Breaking out the Kemba Walker panic meter; the truth about why Gordon Hayward left | Listen & subscribe | Watch on YouTube

That new-look roster will face two tough tests to the start the season: the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 22 and the Brooklyn Nets on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. The NBA unveiled the remainder of its first-half schedule for its 72-game regular season Friday, with the second-half schedule to be released at a later date.

Boston Celtics

Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.

Chris Forsberg 23 hours ago

Can Magic push Celtics? Four big questions entering first-round series

Boston Celtics Apr 15

Celtics vs. Magic first-round playoff preview, odds and prediction

Click here for the 2020-21 Celtics printable schedule

Two COVID-related notes before we dive in: 1) The Raptors will play their home games in Tampa this season, and 2) You'll notice several two-game "series" on the schedule as the league tries to limit travel.

Here's the Celtics' 2020-21 NBA regular season schedule for their first 38 games:

(All games will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston unless otherwise noted. All times Eastern.)