Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics will meet on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time and is part of the NBA preseason calendar. This matchup marks the Celtics’ first home appearance of the preseason, and both teams will use it as a key opportunity to evaluate roster combinations and conditioning before the regular season begins later in the month.

Cleveland enters the game short-handed, with Darius Garland ruled out and Max Strus sidelined due to a foot injury. Sam Merrill is listed as a game-time decision as he continues to work back from minor soreness. For Boston, Jayson Tatum will not play as he continues his recovery from offseason Achilles surgery, while Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are both considered questionable as the team manages their workloads. These absences open the door for deeper rotation players on both sides to see extended minutes and audition for defined roles heading into the new season.

From a tactical standpoint, both head coaches are expected to emphasize experimentation and rhythm building. Joe Mazzulla will likely focus on testing Boston’s spacing and pace without Tatum, leaning on ball movement and defensive intensity to maintain the team’s identity. With some starters resting, players like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Oshae Brissett could see larger roles. On the other bench, Kenny Atkinson will be focused on how Cleveland Cavaliers adapts without its lead playmaker. Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen are expected to anchor the offense and defense while younger players fill in supporting roles.

Media coverage leading up to the game has framed it as a useful barometer for both teams’ depth and adaptability. With stars missing on both sides, attention has shifted toward which secondary players can handle starting responsibilities and maintain consistency. The press has also highlighted the Cavaliers’ challenge of finding scoring balance without Garland, while noting how the Celtics will adjust their offensive flow without Tatum’s presence. Many pregame reports describe this matchup as less about the score and more about assessing chemistry and preparation.

Studio analysts previewing the game have focused their discussions on lineup management and player development. They are expected to debate how Boston’s defense holds up without its top scorers and how Cleveland’s backcourt rotation performs in Garland’s absence. Analysts have also pointed out that both coaching staffs are treating this preseason as an extended training period to test schemes, rotations, and fitness levels. The general sentiment is that this game will provide valuable insight into each team’s depth, composure, and readiness for the challenges of the upcoming 2025–26 NBA season.