​On Tuesday, the Boston Celtics learned that they will play the Miami Heat on Christmas Day in 2026, and on Thursday, they’ll learn their full schedule for the 2026-27 season.And in between the two days, the C’s got another nugget of their schedule when the NBA Cup groups were released.Boston will be in a group with the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets. That is officially listed as Group C.They will play the Bulls on Oct. 30 in Boston, the Hornets on Nov. 6 in Charlotte, the Wizards on Nov. 24 in Washington and the Hawks on Nov. 27 in Boston.Locked in for the NBA Cup 🔒 pic.twitter.com/CAmDnN7oCC— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 12, 2026How does the NBA Cup work? There are six groups made up of five teams apiece. The groups are split into three Eastern Conference groups and three Western Conference groups. The six group winners will all advance to the elimination stage with two wild cards also getting in. That will be the best second-place finisher from each conference.While the group play matchups are spread out over a month, the the elimination matchups all take place over a week, beginning on Dec. 4. The championship is Dec. 11 in Indianapolis.All games count toward the regular season record – except for the championship. The winning championship team receives a monetary prize.About the Celtics’ group Boston is in a talented group which includes Charlotte and upstart Washington, but it’s nothing compared to Group B of the Eastern Conference, which includes the NBA champion Knicks, the powerhouse 76ers and the very solid Cleveland Cavaliers. Also there? The Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat, who could easily be playoff teams again.For a Celtics team looking to put together a solid regular season record again, being in an easier group means a greater chance for easier wins and a better chance at a good record. That can only help when it comes time for playoff seeding.Also: Doc Rivers’ day coming Former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday night. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. ET and Rivers will be introduced by former Celtics greats Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, who are also Hall of Famers.Rivers helped the Celtics win the NBA title in 2007-08. He spent nine seasons as the head coach of the C’s.