Charlotte Hornets: 5 must-see games on 2021-22 schedule

Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward return to Boston to face their former team on ESPN.

There’s no more Kemba Walker in Boston but the ties are still strong with Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier, both former core members of the Celtics now playing for the Hornets. The matchups this season are even more intriguing since Hayward has yet to face his old team after missing all three games between the two teams late last season.

Rozier was sent to Charlotte in the Walker sign-and-trade deal two years ago and he’s proven to fit in perfectly, receiving a large four-year extension just a week ago.

With Walker now in New York, the Celtics might have made a mistake letting Rozier go. The loss of Hayward for Boston might not be as tough to swallow but he still performed very well while playing last season before injuries caught up to him.

There’s a reason this game is on ESPN and hopefully, the two put on a big show when facing their former team.

Boston still has rising superstar Jayson Tatum and all-star Jaylen Brown leading the team, and they’ll have new point guard Dennis Schroeder to replace Walker. There are still some question marks at just how elite this team can be under new head coach Ime Udoka.

Charlotte and Boston will meet first in the fourth game of the season but the real fun begins when this nationally televised game rolls around.