Following a disappointing end to the 2024-25 season, marked by a second-round loss to the New York Knicks, the Boston Celtics are now the underdogs. Despite winning the championship just two years ago, various trades and injuries, most prominently being star player Jayson Tatum with a ruptured achilles, resulted in low expectations for the team. This does not mean fans should lose all hope, though, because there is definitely room for optimism after the preseason.
The Celtics’ preseason record was 3-1, with the only loss being to a tough Toronto Raptors team (final score of 105-107). However, they followed this loss with two consecutive victories, one being over the Raptors. Moreover, there were certainly points of criticism, but also positives that came out of these four games. Several sports analytics and fans have noted a faster, more aggressive play style from the team in comparison to last year. It is believed that head coach Joe Mazzulla is trying to maximize possessions and their depth chart to tire out teams. Students at Hingham High School seem to agree that there is a new play scheme.
Sophomore Ned Wittman describes, “After watching two of the games from the preseason, I agree that the pacing and ball movement have definitely improved. As a Celtics fan, I like to see the team chemistry working well together, which is clear from the bench support. With the loss of Tatum, I think that external factors will help the team win, like the fans in TD Garden.”
This is not to say that there were no standout players from the preseason, though. Performances from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have helped fill the void left by Tatum. They showcased a dynamic backcourt and led the team in scoring, highlighting their versatility when it’s needed the most. In the preseason opener, White delivered a double-double, with 16 points and 10 assists against the Grizzlies. Brown also contributed 21 points in just 20 minutes, shooting 50% from three-point range. White followed this performance in the season finale with 33 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks. Unfortunately, Brown left the game early due to a hamstring injury, but there is no doubt that we will see lots of success from him this year.
When students were asked about their perspective on the preseason and how much hope they have for the Celtics, many responded with positive comments. Sophomore Liam Merrigan explained, “From what I saw, I think that the Celtics will have an exciting run this year. No matter what, the fans always show out and make it a difficult environment to play in for opponents. Personally, I’m not worried about the loss of Tatum, because I think the rookie class will step up and contribute along with veterans.”
It is evident that certain performances and outcomes of Celtics preseason games have pleased fans, however analytics may not have the same support. Nonetheless, the upcoming season should be exciting to watch and may include some surprising moments.
