When Jayson Tatum went down with a torn Achilles this past spring against the New York Knicks, many thought the Boston Celtics would treat this season as a gap year of sorts. With Tatum’s injury and multiple departures that included Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet, the Celtics came into this season with a lot of new faces.
With Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard as their new core, there were questions about whether or not Boston would be able to compete. So far, the Celtics have answered the bell.
Boston has been one of the league’s biggest surprises so far
Now 29 games in, Boston finds themselves as the third seed in the East with an 18-11 record, and have been one of the best teams in the league during the month of December. They have the NBA’s best offensive rating this month (124.5), and their +12.0 net rating is only second to Oklahoma City.
Brown has looked like an All-NBA performer, Pritchard and White have stepped up as lead ball-handlers, and young guys like Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta, and Hugo Gonzalez have played with infectious energy and high defensive intensity.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla deserves a ton of credit for getting the most out of this roster. The Celtics look like a real East contender.
Jayson Tatum’s looming return will elevate the Celtics
Tatum recently confirmed to NBA insider Chris Haynes that he will be returning this season. He did not give a concrete date, but we should expect to see the forward take the court in 2026.
When he’s healthy, Tatum is one of the best players in the world. He was the leader of Boston’s title-winning team in 2024, has made four straight All-NBA first teams, and has two Olympic gold medals. His presence opens up so much for the Celtics’ offense, and his effectiveness as a playmaker and connector is what makes Boston so dangerous.
Expecting Tatum to return to his All-NBA form off of a serious injury is unrealistic. But he has matured so much as a player over the years that he will still find ways to be effective. With him on the court, that opens up the floor for Brown, White, and Pritchard.
As Boston heads into the new year, they seem ready to take their shot in a wide-open East. Detroit and New York have separated themselves from the pack, but they are by no means unbeatable. The Celtics have a puncher’s chance and sometimes, that is all you need.
