4 Reasons the Boston Celtics Are Legit Again
When the 2025–26 NBA season tipped off, few experts envisioned the Boston Celtics as immediate title contenders. With perennial All-Star Jason Tatum sidelined by injury, the team seemed destined for a transitional year—one marked by development, experimentation, and perhaps a search for identity. Instead, Boston has emerged as one of the league’s most compelling stories, propelled by the unheralded transformation of Jaylen Brown, the resilience of their offensive system, and the looming return of their superstar.
Sitting at 22–12, just half a game behind the New York Knicks for the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are not only surviving but thriving. Their journey from preseason uncertainty to legitimate championship threat is a testament to adaptability, leadership, and the power of collective belief.
I. Jaylen Brown: From Second Option to Alpha
A. The Leap Nobody Saw Coming
Jaylen Brown has long been recognized as one of the NBA’s premier two-way wings—a dynamic scorer and versatile defender, but often seen as the “Robin” to Tatum’s “Batman.” This season, however, Brown has shattered those perceptions. With Tatum out, Brown has seized the reins and elevated his game to heights few thought possible.
Brown’s statistical explosion tells only part of the story. Averaging 30 points per game, including a jaw-dropping 50-point performance against the Clippers, he has forced the league to reconsider his ceiling. Over the last ten games, Brown has averaged 32.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on an eye-popping 64% true shooting—a level of efficiency and volume that puts him firmly in the top-ten (and arguably top-five) player conversation.
B. Mastery of the Mid-Range
While Brown’s three-point shooting has been strong (37%), it is his mid-range game that has truly set him apart. Ranking in the 100th percentile for long mid-range attempts (6.4 per game) and 96th percentile for short mid-range (6.5 per game), Brown is punishing defenses with a blend of skill and shot selection rarely seen at this volume. He’s converting 49% of his short mid-range shots (77th percentile) and 52% of his long mid-range attempts (83rd percentile), making him one of the league’s most dangerous scorers from these zones.
This evolution is not just about mechanics, but about process. Brown is making quicker, more decisive moves, sealing defenders early, and choosing his spots with precision. Gone are the rushed, “panic” pull-ups of seasons past—in their place is a player fully in control, able to impact winning even when his shot isn’t falling.
C. Playmaking and Poise
Brown’s growth as a playmaker has been equally impressive. Averaging five assists per game, he is making faster decisions and letting the offense flow naturally. The reps he’s received as a primary initiator have paid dividends, with the team’s confidence in his leadership growing every night. Even with a career-high turnover rate (3.6 per game), the rise is a natural byproduct of increased usage, and the fact that it isn’t higher is a testament to his improved decision-making.
D. Defensive Commitment: Two-Way Excellence
Importantly, Brown’s offensive explosion has not come at the expense of his defense. He continues to guard the league’s best wings every night, maintaining his status as one of the NBA’s elite two-way players. As Brown himself stated, “I believe I’m the best two-way player in the world.” Whether or not that claim holds up to scrutiny, his impact on both ends is undeniable.
In previous seasons, a poor shooting night from Brown often meant a poor overall performance. Now, he finds ways to contribute—getting downhill, drawing fouls, making plays for others. This holistic approach has transformed him from a talented sidekick into a legitimate franchise cornerstone.
II. The System: Boston’s Identity Endures
A. Offensive Evolution Without Tatum
When Tatum was sidelined, many expected Boston’s offense to collapse. Instead, the Celtics have adapted, building one of the league’s most potent attacks. Currently second in the NBA in offensive rating (123 points per 100 possessions), Boston is thriving in “Joe Mazzulla ball”—hunting threes aggressively and living with the outcomes.
The Celtics take the second-most threes in the league (43.1 per game), converting at a 37% clip (eighth-best). But the offense isn’t just about volume shooting. The system has been subtly reshaped to fit Brown’s strengths, with more mid-range opportunities and better spacing.
B. Adjustments and Growth
Early in the season, Boston stumbled out of the gate, losing its first three games and looking every bit the lottery-bound team many predicted. But the Celtics quickly stabilized, refining their offense and finding new ways to generate points. Over the first 16 games, Brown was solid but unspectacular (27.4 points per game, 55% eFG), and Boston hovered at .500. Then, a switch flipped: the Celtics went 12–4, with Brown’s averages jumping to 32.8 points, 57% eFG, and nearly six assists per game.
This transformation speaks to the system’s flexibility and the coaching staff’s ability to adapt. Brown is making quicker reads, seeing the floor better, and thriving as the engine of the offense.
C. Defensive Structure Under Stress
Defense has been more of a challenge. Early on, Boston’s defensive rating languished in the bottom ten, but has since climbed to 15th (115.7). Brown’s heavy workload does affect the numbers—Boston’s defensive rating is 118.3 with him on the floor, dropping to an elite 110.1 when he sits. Still, the structure remains intact: the Celtics are committed to protecting the rim, forcing the ball out of stars’ hands, and living with role players taking open shots.
Frontcourt depth is thin, with Namias Queta and Xavier Tillman asked to shoulder significant minutes. The rotation isn’t perfect, but the system is functional, allowing Boston to survive until reinforcements arrive.
D. Culture of Accountability
Perhaps most impressive is the team’s resilience and belief. The Celtics have proven they can score, win, and stay organized even without their best player. The system has been stress-tested, and the identity has endured. When Tatum returns, Boston won’t be searching for answers—they’ll be raising the ceiling.
III. The Ceiling Rises: Tatum’s Impending Return
A. The Superstar Rejoins the Fold
The third reason for Boston’s renewed legitimacy is simple: Jason Tatum is on the verge of returning. Projected to rejoin the lineup in early March, Tatum will begin on a minutes restriction (15–20 per game) with no back-to-backs, allowing for a methodical ramp-up before the postseason.
This timeline gives Tatum nearly two months to regain his form. Even at 80% of his peak, Tatum is a game-changer—he doesn’t need to be MVP-level immediately, just a stabilizing force on both ends.
B. The Impact on Offense and Defense
Tatum’s return will relieve pressure on Brown, add size and rebounding, and provide elite help defense. His versatility—functioning as a point guard on offense and a small-ball five on defense—addresses Boston’s biggest weakness: frontcourt depth. Tatum’s presence allows for more lineup flexibility and improves the team’s ability to cover mismatches.
Last season, Tatum’s adaptability in the Finals (where Brown won MVP) was critical. He plugged defensive gaps, moved the ball, and punished mismatches. This year, he’ll be asked to do the same, anchoring the defense and providing a secondary offensive engine.
C. The Need for One More Move
While Tatum’s return raises the floor and stabilizes the defense, it may not solve every problem. Boston still needs another reliable big man for the playoff grind. Namias Queta has been fantastic, but ideally would come off the bench or share duties with another center of similar caliber. The Celtics’ frontcourt remains thin, and a deadline acquisition could be the final piece.
IV. The Big Picture: Boston’s Contender Status
A. From Play-In Predictions to Title Threats
Coming into the season, Boston was viewed by many as a play-in team. Instead, they’ve become a legitimate contender, with Brown leading the way and the system holding strong. The return of Tatum, combined with a potential move to shore up the front line, could transform the Celtics from a surprise story to a dark-horse team nobody wants to face.
B. The Eastern Conference Landscape
The Celtics are not alone in their resurgence. The Philadelphia 76ers have emerged as another dark horse, with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey both playing at MVP levels. Rookie phenom VJ Edgecomb may be the X-factor for Philly, adding another layer of intrigue to the race for Eastern supremacy.
C. What Comes Next
For Boston, the challenge is clear: maintain momentum, integrate Tatum smoothly, and find a way to reinforce the frontcourt before the playoffs. If they succeed, the Celtics will have the rare combination of star power, system strength, and depth required to make a deep postseason run.
Conclusion: The Celtics’ Path Forward
The Boston Celtics have defied expectations, weathering adversity and emerging as one of the NBA’s most dangerous teams. Jaylen Brown’s leap from second option to true alpha has been the catalyst, but the system’s resilience and the impending return of Jason Tatum have elevated the franchise’s ceiling.
As the playoffs approach, Boston’s blend of talent, adaptability, and belief makes them a team to watch. If they can make one more move to solidify the frontcourt, the Celtics may not just be back—they may be ready to reclaim their place atop the basketball world.
