The Boston Celtics will not have a match on Xmas Day this year (Image: getty)
For the first time in a decade, the Boston Celtics will not feature in a Christmas Day game, marking a harsh reality check for the team's prospects this season. Just a year ago, the Celtics were celebrating their NBA Championship win and were tipped as favourites to repeat their success. However, despite being contenders, they've been plagued by a host of problems, most notably injuries to key players throughout the season.
During the playoffs, star player Jayson Tatum sustained a torn Achilles tendon against the New York Knicks, ruling him out for most of the 2025/26 season. In response to losing Tatum, the Celtics made several strategic moves, aware that their current roster was unlikely to compete at the highest level. They traded both Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday and chose not to renew Al Horford's contract.
These changes have resulted in a younger, more cost-effective team, with Anfernee Simons joining forces with Jaylen Brown during what is expected to be a rebuilding year.
Brad Stevens has hinted at roster adjustments (Image: undefined)
This shift has led to the Celtics missing out on a coveted Christmas Day game, with broadcasters ESPN and ABC deciding other teams were more deserving of the spotlight this year. Both networks, who host the games, have significant influence over which teams play on 25 December.
Once Tatum returns, it's anticipated that the Celtics will once again be serious contenders in the 2026/27 season, potentially aiming to secure a high draft pick in the upcoming season.
Boston may still secure a playoff spot, but they'll require a tremendous effort from Brown, who stands as the sole genuine superstar on the squad, with Derrick White and Payton Pritchard proving valuable contributors.
Whether the Celtics will pursue additional trades remains uncertain, following last month's departure of Georges Niang - a player widely expected to feature in the starting lineup.
Boston appears remarkably vulnerable in the forward and centre positions, seemingly acknowledging they're unlikely to mount a serious championship challenge this campaign.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has hinted at potential roster adjustments, possibly taking a backwards step to advance the franchise's long-term prospects.
He said: "I think when you're in this role, you talk big picture, branches, and long term all the time. But then at the end of each season, you glean a little more clarity from the season that just happened and what happened during it, right?".
"I know there will be a lot of questions about what's next, but I'll probably talk more about that at the draft time when we have a better idea after meeting with all the key stakeholders and everybody else about what next steps might be. At the end of the day, I think that will all be driven by the same thing that's always driven us, and that is: How do we get ourselves in the mix to compete for championships best?
"And I think that we'll have more clarity as we take a deep breath and get a little bit more sleep than we have the last three nights and figure out how to be the best version of ourselves here moving forward."
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