Following the official release of the 2026–2027 NBA schedule, CLNS Media’s John Zannis and Bobby Manning broke down the most intriguing matchups for the upcoming Boston Celtics season. Unsurprisingly, the dominant topic of conversation was the return date of former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
Brown, who anchored the Celtics for the first decade of his career and helped deliver the 2024 championship, was traded to the division-rival Philadelphia 76ers earlier this summer. Despite early expectations that the league would showcase his return to TD Garden early in the season, Boston fans will have to wait until January 21, 2027, to welcome the legendary Celtic back.
Bobby Manning expressed genuine surprise over the delayed timing of the homecoming matchup:
“I would have guessed his return would happen in November and it certainly wasn’t featured on Christmas Day like many of us assumed…In fact, it really didn’t come out in that first slate of games and leaks at all, which was slightly surprising to me.”
.@RealBobManning is surprised Jaylen Brown’s return to Boston is not happening earlier in the season:
“I would have guessed his return would happen in November and it certainly wasn’t featured on Christmas Day like many of us assumed…In fact, it really didn’t come out in that… pic.twitter.com/dfWKwjB3r1
— The Garden Report on CLNS (@TheGardenReport) August 13, 2026
Ultimately, while the wait will be longer than anticipated, January 21st is officially locked in as one of the most emotional and highly anticipated dates on the Celtics’ calendar.
WATCH FULL EPISODE: https://youtube.com/live/BRHHjwxNEuM?feature=share
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