Celtics Face Bulls in Final Test Before All-Star Break, Honor Legend Bob Cousy
The Boston Celtics will hit the hardwood Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls in what marks their final game before the NBA All-Star break - and it comes with a bit of history attached. Not only is this a key Eastern Conference matchup, but it’s also another moment to celebrate one of the franchise’s all-time greats: Bob Cousy.
Celtics Riding High Despite Adversity
At 34-19, the Celtics have put together a strong campaign through 53 games, good for second place in the East. They trail the conference-leading Detroit Pistons by 5.5 games, but hold a slim half-game edge over the New York Knicks and are 1.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In other words, every game matters right now as the race for playoff seeding tightens.
What makes this run even more impressive is the context. Jayson Tatum, the team’s cornerstone, hasn’t suited up all year due to injury.
And yet, Boston hasn’t just stayed afloat - they’ve thrived. The offseason saw the departure of key veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, but the Celtics have managed to reshape their identity and keep winning.
That speaks volumes about the depth, coaching, and overall culture in the locker room.
Welcome Back, Vooch
Wednesday’s matchup against Chicago brings a little extra intrigue. The Bulls come in at 24-30, sitting 11th in the East - just one game out of the play-in picture thanks to the NBA’s 7-10 seed format. They’re scrapping for postseason relevance, and every game is a chance to climb the ladder.
Adding to the storyline: Nikola Vučević will face his former team for the first time since being traded to Boston last week. The veteran big man brings a versatile offensive skill set and plenty of experience to the Celtics’ frontcourt.
Going up against the team he just left? That always adds a little juice to the matchup.
Honoring a Celtics Icon: Bob Cousy
Before the ball tips off, the Celtics will honor one of their true legends. The first 5,000 fans through the doors will receive a Bob Cousy bobblehead - part of a special promotion celebrating the Hall of Famer. It’s the second major tribute to Cousy in recent days, following Holy Cross naming its court after him.
Cousy’s impact on the Celtics - and the game - is hard to overstate. He spent 13 seasons in Boston, racking up 13 All-Star nods, 12 All-NBA selections, and a pair of All-Star Game MVPs. He was the league MVP in 1956-57 and helped lead the Celtics to six NBA championships during his tenure.
Known for his creativity and court vision, Cousy led the NBA in total assists eight times and finished his career averaging 18.4 points and 7.5 assists per game. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971, just a few years after his playing days officially ended.
And yes - technically, he came out of retirement in 1969 for a brief seven-game stint with the Cincinnati Royals, the team he was coaching at the time. That’s the kind of competitive fire Cousy brought to everything he did.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Cousy transitioned into coaching, spending five seasons at the helm of the Royals and later the Kansas City-Omaha Kings - the franchise that would eventually become the Sacramento Kings. His coaching record finished at 141-207, with two 36-win seasons marking his best campaigns.
Looking Ahead
After Wednesday night, the Celtics will get a well-earned break before returning to action on February 19. But before that, all eyes will be on the All-Star Game this Sunday, February 15. Jaylen Brown was named a starter for the first time, a well-deserved honor for one of the league’s most dynamic two-way players.
Wednesday is more than just another regular-season game. It’s a chance to head into the break on a high note, integrate a new piece in Vučević, and tip the cap to a Celtics icon who helped lay the foundation for the franchise’s rich history.
Tip-off can’t come soon enough.