The 2025-2026 NBA season was shaping up to be Jaylen Brown’s most challenging yet.
The Boston Celtics forward was going to be at the head of the snake with the MVP-caliber forward Jayson Tatum out for a large chunk of the season—if not all of it—with an Achilles injury.
Considering the absence of Tatum and the loss of key players due to financial decisions, the NBA world had doubts about the 2025-2026 Boston Celtics. They were believed to be entering a gap year, similar to the Indiana Pacers, who lost Tyrese Haliburton for the year.
It’s true the Pacers aren’t going far this year. At the break, they are 15-40, placing 14th in the Eastern Conference. As for the Celtics—well—let Jaylen Brown’s post do the talking.
“I’m proud of this group and staff/ office looking forward to 2nd half go Cs,” Brown wrote on a social media post for his nearly 800,000 followers to see.
Just how good have the Celtics been, despite the question marks?
Nearly as good as their 2024-2025 championship team was at the All-Star break.
The East is still widely considered open. The top-seeded Detroit Pistons are a younger squad with limited playoff experience. The New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t had championship breakthroughs recently, and the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors are re-entering the postseason after a retool.
If the season ended today, the Celtics would draw a Play-In opponent. The Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Atlanta Hawks are all in that picture.
Based on their experience and success throughout the season, Brown and the Celtics remain confident as ever in their chances of making a run. They could potentially get Jayson Tatum back for the postseason stretch, and made a trade deadline move for a much-needed front-court upgrade by acquiring Nikola Vucevic.
Following the break, the Celtics will be back on the court on February 19 to take on the Golden State Warriors.
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
