Last week was a grind for the Boston Celtics - the kind of stretch that tests a team’s legs, depth, and focus. And while the results were mixed, the resilience they showed might matter more than the win-loss column.
It all started with a surprising stumble in Detroit. The Celtics dropped a one-point heartbreaker to the Pistons on Monday - a team that’s been near the bottom of the standings all season. That loss raised eyebrows, not just because of the opponent, but because of how it happened: Boston just couldn’t find their rhythm down the stretch, and Detroit made them pay.
Back home on Wednesday, the Celtics looked more like themselves. They handled the Indiana Pacers with little trouble, controlling the tempo and getting contributions across the board. It was the kind of bounce-back performance you expect from a team with championship aspirations.
Then came the real test - a back-to-back road swing against the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls. Friday night in Brooklyn turned into a marathon.
Boston trailed for most of the game, struggling to find consistent offense. But when it mattered most, they dug in.
The game went to overtime - their first of the season - and then a second. The Celtics finally pulled away in double OT, grinding out a win that felt more like survival than dominance.
That win came at a cost, though. After wrapping up in Brooklyn, the team didn’t arrive in Chicago until 4 a.m. local time Saturday.
Less than 20 hours later, they were on the floor again - and it showed. The legs weren’t there, the energy was flat, and the Bulls took advantage.
Boston dropped that one, and frankly, it was hard to blame them.
The Celtics returned to Boston early Sunday morning, just ahead of a blizzard that blanketed the city in over a foot of snow. A fitting end to a stormy week.
Now, the good news: help is on the schedule. This week brings a four-game homestand - their longest in three weeks - and none of the teams coming into TD Garden are currently above .500. It’s a window of opportunity, both to rest and to stack some wins.
It starts Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, which means Jrue Holiday and Robert Williams III will make their first return to Boston since being traded. Expect a warm welcome for both - Holiday was a key piece in last season’s deep playoff run, and Williams, when healthy, was a fan favorite for his rim protection and energy.
On Wednesday, another reunion is on tap. Kristaps Porzingis, now with the Atlanta Hawks, returns to Boston. Porzingis helped anchor the Celtics’ frontcourt before being moved in a midseason shake-up, and his presence in the Garden again will be another reminder of how much this roster has evolved.
Friday’s matchup brings the Sacramento Kings to town - a team that’s had its moments but has struggled to find consistency. Then on Sunday, the Celtics close out the homestand with a matinee against the Milwaukee Bucks. Regardless of record, that one always feels like a measuring stick game.
If Boston takes care of business this week, they should be in good shape to hold onto the No. 2 seed in the East as February approaches. After that, it’s back on the road for a quick two-game trip through Texas, with stops in Dallas and Houston.
The Celtics have weathered the storm - literally and figuratively. Now comes a chance to regroup, refocus, and remind the league why they’re still one of the top teams in the East.