Will a loaded January schedule bring out the best in Celtics?

Boston: The Celtics had a fantastic 2024, ending the year with a huge win. But now, they’re stepping into a tougher January.

So far, they’ve played mostly against teams with losing records. But that’s about to change. Their upcoming schedule is packed with tough opponents. Starting with a road trip to Minnesota, every team they face has a winning record.

Mid-January is going to be intense, with seven straight games against solid teams. After just a few games against the West, they’ll be up against them in 12 of their 16 January matchups.

This is a chance for the Celtics to show what they’re made of. They’ve done well against good teams this season, with a solid record against those with winning records. Last year, they were even better, but this season, they seem more focused when facing tough competition.

Health is key, though. They’ve been missing Porzingis due to an ankle injury, and Jaylen Brown is also on the injury report. Plus, they have a tough back-to-back coming up, which means a lot of travel.

There are some exciting matchups ahead. The Celtics had some thrilling games against the Timberwolves last season, and they’ll face the Rockets, who are doing well this year. Then, they’ll meet the Thunder, a team many think could be in the Finals.

This January could be just what the Celtics need to refocus. They know they have to step it up to reach their goals. Jayson Tatum usually shines in January, so fans are eager to see if he can keep that going.

If they want to make 2025 as great as 2024, they need to start strong this month.