Heading into the 2025-26 season, many predicted the Celtics would have a down year. Jayson Tatum just went down due to injury, and players like Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet were no longer on the team. Things weren’t looking good in Boston.
To Brad Stevens, it was just another day at the office.
The Celtics' President of Basketball Operations didn't throw in the towel. Neither did the team. Now, Boston has a 43-21 record, is ranked second in the Eastern Conference, and is ranked second in the league with a 120.5 offensive rating.
Jaylen Brown has played like a true MVP candidate, while coach Joe Mazzulla may win Coach of the Year. Neemias Queta has emerged as the center of the future, while Payton Pritchard is one of the league’s best role players. None of this has surprised Stevens.
“I don’t put a ceiling on us ever,” Stevens told The Boston Globe.
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The Celtics recently got a boost in leadership and scoring with the return of Tatum, rejoining the team 298 days after rupturing his Achilles. He’s played like he never left, immediately almost scoring a triple-double and creating opportunities for his teammates.
The return of Tatum helps out a team that is scoring 114.5 points per game. That’s two points less than last season. He also helps take pressure off players like Pritchard, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Jordan Walsh, all of whom have played a role in the team’s success.
Even without Tatum, team chemistry was never compromised. Boston went on impressive win streaks the last two to three months, never showing signs that they would falter. Young guns have impressed as Boston’s offense and defense dominated the court. All cylinders are flying for the Celtics.
“We like the character of our group,” Stevens said. “We have some really good players that have been there, done that. The biggest thing that had to be answered was that we had some unproven guys around them, but they’re unproven with good talent, and they’re unproven with great coaching.
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“It makes sense that we’d have the kind of year that we’ve had, but it’s taken everyone being all-in and an excellent job by the coaching staff of defining roles. And an excellent job by the playing group of embracing those roles.“
The Celtics are rolling into the playoffs as a team to be feared. And Tatum hasn’t even warmed up yet. Once dismissed to start the season, Boston refused to back down.
Now, the league has no choice but to take notice of Stevens’ group of misfits. And come playoff time, they may very well be the team to beat.