As the Boston Celtics gear up for the unofficial second half of their season, they're set to face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening. The team has been turning heads this year, with Jaylen Brown representing them at the NBA All-Star weekend in the USA team's round robin tournament.
Surpassing expectations has become the norm for the Celtics this season. Former NBA guard Lou Williams recently expressed his admiration on FanDuel's "Run It Back" show, declaring Boston as the most dangerous team in the East. Co-host Chandler Parsons chimed in, advocating for Jaylen Brown's inclusion in MVP discussions.
Many analysts initially pegged the Celtics as a fringe playoff team, especially with superstar Jayson Tatum sidelined due to injury and the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis over the summer. These moves were largely financially driven, but the Celtics have found a way to thrive regardless.
Jaylen Brown has been a revelation, playing at a near-MVP level and filling the void left by Tatum. His efforts have been complemented by Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, both of whom have stepped up after slow starts to the season.
The potential return of Jayson Tatum adds an intriguing element to Boston's playoff aspirations. If Tatum can regain his form in time for the postseason, the Celtics could very well emerge as the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
For now, the focus is on their upcoming matchup against the Warriors, kicking off a West Coast trip at 10:00 pm ET on Thursday. The Celtics are poised and ready to continue their impressive run.