BOSTON — The Boston Celtics said they were not surprised by outside doubts entering the 2025–26 NBA season following offseason roster changes and Jayson Tatum’s recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon, as they moved through the regular season behind a career year from Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics finished last season’s championship run with expectations that the team would decline after losing Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford in the offseason and with Tatum sidelined for the first 65 games of the current season. External projections suggested Boston could fall out of contention and potentially into the NBA draft lottery.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown responded to those narratives after the team reached 50 wins for the fifth straight season, posting on social media, “50 wins in a gap year.”
Brown led Boston during Tatum’s absence, posting career highs in scoring, rebounding and assists. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists while taking on expanded leadership responsibilities.
The Celtics received contributions from multiple players during that stretch. Derrick White provided defensive production, including high totals in contested shots and blocks among guards. Payton Pritchard moved between starting and bench roles while maintaining a key scoring presence. Sam Hauser continued to provide outside shooting, and Neemias Queta expanded his role in the frontcourt.
Tatum returned to the lineup on March 6 and averaged 21.8 points, 10 rebounds and 5.1 assists over 16 games. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Tatum’s return to form after injury reflected his preparation and focus on recovery.
Tatum said his rehabilitation period included periods of uncertainty about his long-term outlook, but he said he regained appreciation for the game upon returning to competition, including his first game back at Madison Square Garden after the injury.
Brown said his partnership with Tatum has lasted through multiple deep playoff runs and a 2024 NBA championship, describing their time together as one of the longer-running pairings in league history.
The Celtics entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and prepared for a fourth consecutive postseason appearance under Mazzulla.