It’s an admittedly small sample size, but the Boston Celtics had a very strong preseason. Past preseason results have sometimes meant little when it comes to regular season success, but still, head coach Joe Mazzulla’s crew not only went 3-1, but they had the second-best average point differential (+12.2) among Eastern Conference teams. The Celtics also had a top five offense in the conference with 118.5 points per game (fifth) and top five defense at 106.3 points allowed per contest (second) as well. After being placed 24th (and 12th in the East) on NBA.com senior writer John Schuhmann’s Power Rankings in August, Boston was up to 19th overall on Monday. The Celtics had the biggest jump of any NBA team on the list, as they prepare for Wednesday night’s season-opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. Story continues below advertisement “Even if Jayson Tatum makes his return at some point this season, three of the Celtics’ top six guys from last season are playing elsewhere. There’s going to be a big drop-off, but it’s hard to predict how big it will be,” Schuhmann wrote. Jayson Tatum is still recovering from surgery to repair his torn Achilles but is hoping to play during the 2025-26 season. Sidekick Jaylen Brown, meanwhile, is battling a hamstring injury and is questionable for Wednesday’s contest. Story continues below advertisement Guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will be tasked with larger loads this season in elevated roles. Schuhmann noted what to watch for Boston fans in Week 1. “The results. The Celtics open their season with three games against teams that should be in the top half of the Eastern Conference,” he wrote. “Are the Celtics in the top half of the East? These three games will give us some clues. Joel Embiid is (seemingly) healthy at the start of the season, and the Celtics will face the Sixers three times in the first 21 days, with the first meeting in Boston on Wednesday.” Story continues below advertisement The Celtics will open the campaign at TD Garden, before visiting the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons on the road on Friday and Sunday, respectively.