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Celtics' 1998 preseason canceled amid labor negotiations; Kaftan passes

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 6, 2026, 10:00 AM

Last updated Oct 6, 2026

Celtics' 1998 preseason canceled amid labor negotiations; Kaftan passes

Summary

On this day in 1998, the Boston Celtics saw their preseason canceled due to a deadlock in negotiations between the National Basketball Players Association and team owners. This stoppage marked the first-ever interruption of the regular season in NBA history, stemming from disputes over basketball-related income and the 'Larry Bird' exception. As a result, the season did not begin until January of the following year. Additionally, it is the birthday of Celtics player Reggie Hanson, born in 1968, and the anniversary of the passing of former player George Kaftan in 2018.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•1998 preseason canceled due to labor negotiations deadlock.
•First work stoppage in NBA history affected regular season start.
•Reggie Hanson celebrates his birthday today, born in 1968.
•George Kaftan passed away in 2018, remembered as a former Celtic.

Latest Updates

10:00 AMYahoo Sports — Today in Boston Celtics history: 1998 preseason canceled ahead of '98 lockout; Kaftan passes

What they're saying

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Today in Boston Celtics history, in 1998, negotiations between the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and team owners reached a deadlock.
— Yahoo Sports

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