Boston athletes that should appear in the new Backyard Sports games
The generation that grew up with the “Backyard Sports” games got a dose of terrific news earlier this week when it was announced that the games would be making a…

DALLAS, TEXAS – JUNE 12: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Tim Heitman/Getty ImagesThe generation that grew up with the "Backyard Sports" games got a dose of terrific news earlier this week when it was announced that the games would be making a comeback. The older versions of the games used to have some of the best athletes in each sport playing in the game as kids. Boston had players like Nomar Garciaparra, Paul Pierce, and Drew Bledsoe representing the city during the peak years of the game.
There's no official news of pro athletes being included in the new games, but it would not be a surprise if they appeared in the soon to be released games. Here's a look at some Boston athletes that should appear in the new games.
JAYSON TATUM - BOSTON CELTICS

Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball against Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) during the second quarter during game three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jayson Tatum should be a lock to appear in Backyard Basketball. He's one of the best players in the NBA and a very marketable player. If there's any player in Boston that feels like a complete lock to appear in the games, it's Jayson Tatum.
DAVID PASTRNAK - BOSTON BRUINS

Feb 22, 2024; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
If Jayson Tatum is the biggest lock to be in the games then David Pastrnak is right behind him. Pastrnak is one of the biggest stars in the NHL right now and, much like Tatum, he's a very marketable character. There's no reason for Pastrnak not to be in the newest version of Backyard Hockey repping the Spoked-B.
RAFAEL DEVERS - BOSTON RED SOX

Apr 7, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Boston Red Sox third base Rafael Devers (11) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
I don't think Devers would be as much of a lock as Tatum and Pastrnak, but he's got to have a real good chance of being in Backyard Baseball. Devers isn't as much of a star in his sport as the other two, which could hinder his chance of being in the game. However, I feel that Devers is good enough to be considered among the best in the MLB and to get a shot at being in the game.
JAYLEN BROWN - BOSTON CELTICS

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 06: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
I don't think Jaylen Brown gets as much love as he should, which makes me feel like he could be a borderline pick to make the latest version of Backyard Basketball. But are we really going to leave the reigning Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP out of a game? We shouldn't! Brown should be a lock to be in Backyard Basketball alongside teammate Jayson Tatum.
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Celtics release full 2024-25 schedule
After an early preview gave us an update on four of the games on the Celtics' schedule for next season, Thursday came with the rest of the Green's 2024-25 released by the NBA.
Back on top of the NBA world with a five-game NBA Finals series victory over the Mavs' one-two punch of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Celtics' pursuit of Banner 19 will kick off with a banner-raising night against the Knicks on Oct. 22, while the year as a whole will see them look to become the first NBA team to go back-to-back since the Warriors accomplished the feat in 2017 and 2018. And the Celtics, for what it's worth, have not repeated as NBA champions since back-to-back titles in 1968 and 1969.
And for the second year in a row, the NBA will have their in-season tournament (the NBA Cup), with the Celtics slotted in East Group C, which is comprised of the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Washington Wizards. The C's will play four designated Group Play games that will be held on “Cup Nights” every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 12 through Dec. 3, with one game against each opponent, two games at home and two on the road. Boston will host the Hawks on Nov. 12, and the Cavs on Nov. 19, and play the Wizards in Washington on Nov. 22, and the Bulls in Chicago on Nov. 29.
The team with the best standing in Group Play games from each of the six groups will advance to the Knockout Rounds. One wild card team from each conference (the second-place finisher with the best record in Group Play games) will also advance and complete the eight-team Tournament bracket.
The complete schedule can be found below, with all times listed in EST, and all games available to be heard on the Celtics Radio Network...
October 2024

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a play during the second quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Oct. 22 vs. Knicks (7:30 p.m.)
Oct. 24 @ Washington (7:00 p.m.)
Oct. 26 @ Detroit (7:00 p.m.)
Oct. 28 vs. Bucks (7:30 p.m.)
Oct. 30 @ Indiana (7:00 p.m.)
November 2024

May 11, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) brings the ball up court against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
Nov. 1 @ Charlotte (7:00 p.m.)
Nov. 2 @ Charlotte (6:00 p.m.)
Nov. 4 @ Atlanta (7:45 p.m.)
Nov. 6 vs. Warriors (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 8 vs. Nets (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 10 @ Milwaukee (3:30 p.m.)
Nov. 12 vs. Hawks (7:00 p.m.)
Nov. 13 @ Brooklyn (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 16 vs. Raptors (8:00 p.m.)
Nov. 19 vs. Cavaliers (7:00 p.m.)
Nov. 22 @ Washington (7:00 p.m.)
Nov. 24 vs. Timberwolves (3:30 p.m.)
Nov. 25 vs. Clippers (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 29 @ Chicago (8:00 p.m.)
December 2024

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 06: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Dec. 1 @ Cleveland (6:00 p.m.)
Dec. 2 vs. Heat (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 4 vs. Pistons (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 6 vs. Bucks (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 7 vs. Grizzlies (8:00 p.m.)
Dec. 10-17: NBA Cup tournament playoffs
Dec. 19 vs. Bulls (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 21 @ Chicago (8:00 p.m.)
Dec. 23 @ Orlando (7:00 p.m.)
Dec. 25 vs. 76ers (5:00 p.m.)
Dec. 27 vs. Pacers (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 29 vs. Pacers (6:00 p.m.)
Dec. 31 vs. Raptors (3:00 p.m.)
January 2025

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 09: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jan. 2 @ Minnesota (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 3 @ Houston (8:00 p.m.)
Jan. 5 @ Oklahoma City (3:30 p.m.)
Jan. 7 @ Denver (10:00 p.m.)
Jan. 10 vs. Kings (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 12 vs. Pelicans (6:00 p.m.)
Jan. 15 @ Toronto (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 17 vs. Magic (7:00 p.m.)
Jan. 18 vs. Hawks (7:00 p.m.)
Jan. 20 @ Golden State (5:00 p.m.)
Jan. 22 @ L.A. Clippers (10:30 p.m.)
Jan. 23 @ L.A. Lakers (10:00 p.m.)
Jan. 25 @ Dallas (5:30 p.m.)
Jan. 27 vs. Rockets (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 29 vs. Bulls (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 31 @ New Orleans (8:00 p.m.)
February 2025

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 09: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a made basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Feb. 2 @ Philadelphia (6:00 p.m.)
Feb. 4 @ Cleveland (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 6 vs. Mavericks (7:30 p.m.)
Feb. 8 @ New York (8:30 p.m.)
Feb. 10 @ Miami (7:30 p.m.)
Feb. 12 vs. Spurs (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 14-19: NBA All-Star Break
Feb. 20 @ Philadelphia (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 23 vs. Knicks (1:00 p.m.)
Feb. 25 @ Toronto (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 26 @ Detroit (7:00 p.m.)
Feb. 28 vs. Cavaliers (7:30 p.m.)
March 2025

Al Horford of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on Feb. 3, 2023. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Mar. 2 vs. Nuggets (1:00 p.m.)
Mar. 5 vs. Blazers (7:00 p.m.)
Mar. 6 vs. 76ers (7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 8 vs. Lakers (8:30 p.m.)
Mar. 10 vs. Jazz (7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 12 vs. Thunder (7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 14 @ Miami (7:00 p.m.)
Mar. 15 @ Brooklyn (6:00 p.m.)
Mar. 18 vs. Nets (7:30 p.m.)
Mar. 21 @ Utah (9:30 p.m.)
Mar. 23 @ Portland (6:00 p.m.)
Mar. 24 @ Sacramento (10:00 p.m.)
Mar. 26 @ Phoenix (10:00 p.m.)
Mar. 29 @ San Antonio (8:00 p.m.)
Mar. 31 @ Memphis (8:00 p.m.)
April 2025

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Apr. 2 vs. Heat (7:30 p.m.)
Apr. 4 vs. Suns (7:30 p.m.)
Apr. 6 vs. Wizards (6:00 p.m.)
Apr. 8 @ New York (7:30 p.m.)
Apr. 9 @ Orlando (7:00 p.m.)
Apr. 11 vs. Hornets (7:30 p.m.)
Apr. 13 vs. Hornets (1:00 p.m.)