Rival Team Star Believes Celtics Are Among 2026-27 Contenders image
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Just two seasons ago, the Celtics were lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy in TD Garden, as they won their 18th championship in franchise history.
That's a place Boston wants to be back in soon, after two seasons filled with ups and downs since the 2024 NBA Finals.
One star player Boston took down en route to their 2024 title believes the Celtics are among a group of teams who could very well win the title this upcoming season.
Rival Team Star Believes Celtics Are Among 2026-27 Contenders
Pacers' star guard Tyrese Haliburton recently said, regarding which teams have a shot at contending in the East, “Philly could do it, Boston could do it, New York could do it, we could do it, Miami could do it, the Pistons could do it. There’s many teams that have that opportunity to become champs" (via Legion Hoops).
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Haliburton will return to action this fall after missing all of last season. He was recovering from an achilles tear he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
In the 2024 playoffs, the Pacers made the ECF, but the Celtics swept them in one of the more competitive 4-0 series you'll see.
Haliburton believes the East is wide open and that there are a handful of teams capable of winning it all heading into this season, naming the Pacers themselves as a contender too.
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He might be right, as the East is as tight as it's been in recent years, meaning there's more unpredictability, as one team might not necessarily run away with a lead in the standings.
The Celtics and several other teams will have brand new rotations after busy offseasons, so expect the unexpected to happen this season.