The Boston Celtics won the championship last year against the Dallas Mavericks in five games. It was the 18th time the Celtics won the title, the most in NBA history.
Boston was the second seed in the East this year. The team beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs in five games, setting up a clash with the New York Knicks in the second round.
The Knicks won Games 1 and 2 in Boston, but the Celtics responded by winning Game 3 in New York. Game 4 was up for grabs and Boston had a shot to win. Then, disaster struck.
Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon and underwent surgery the next day. Without Tatum, the Celtics lost Games 4 and 6, ending their chance to repeat as champions.
Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown
Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
On Saturday, Jaylen Brown admitted to Noa Dalzell of Celtics Blog that he's still "decompressing emotionally" after losing to New York in the conference semifinals. The 2024 Finals MVP expected to still be playing at this time of the year, so it's been tough for him to move on.
“I was expecting to be playing right now,” Brown said. "Right now, I’m decompressing emotionally. And then in a week or so, I pick up the pieces. I see what the direction is for myself, my health, and the organization. And, whatever the outcome is, I’m excited.”
Brown finished this season with a partially torn right meniscus. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the regular season and 22.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the postseason.
The 28-year-old Brown will make $53.1 million next season. The California product has career averages of 19.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists.