The NBA All-Star rosters are officially set, and as always, the reveal sparked plenty of conversation - and a fair share of controversy. This time, the debate isn’t just about snubs or surprises. It’s about whether one of the most dominant teams in recent memory - the 2024 Boston Celtics - could actually take down the current Eastern Conference All-Stars.
That’s the claim made by former Celtic Evan Turner, who didn’t hold back on social media. On Sunday, Turner posted on X: "The 2024 Celtics would beat this year's Eastern All-Stars."
A bold take? Sure.
But is it completely off-base? Maybe not.
Let’s break it down.
The 2024 Celtics: A Defensive Juggernaut
Turner’s comment brings us back to a Celtics team that was nothing short of elite. In the 2023-24 season, Boston finished with a 64-18 regular-season record and went 16-3 in the playoffs en route to a championship. That squad was built on balance, chemistry, and suffocating defense - anchored by a starting five that could switch, defend, and score at a high level.
Here’s a reminder of that title-winning starting lineup:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Derrick White
- SF: Jaylen Brown
- PF: Jayson Tatum
- C: Kristaps Porzingis
That’s a defensive fortress. Holiday and White formed arguably the best defensive backcourt in the league, Brown and Tatum gave you two-way wings with elite athleticism, and Porzingis provided shot-blocking and floor spacing at the five. Add in the veteran savvy of Al Horford and the shooting depth from guys like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, and you’ve got a team that knew exactly how to win - and did it convincingly.
The 2025-26 East All-Stars: Star Power, But Questions Too
Now, let’s look at the current Eastern Conference All-Star roster. The starters:
- PG: Jalen Brunson
- SG: Tyrese Maxey
- SF: Cade Cunningham
- PF: Jaylen Brown
- C: Giannis Antetokounmpo
And off the bench:
- Scottie Barnes
- Jalen Duren
- Jalen Johnson
- Donovan Mitchell
- Norman Powell
- Pascal Siakam
- Karl-Anthony Towns
There’s no question this group is loaded with talent. Giannis is the engine, bringing MVP-caliber production on both ends.
Brunson and Maxey have taken massive leaps as lead guards, and Mitchell gives you a proven scorer off the bench. The frontcourt depth is impressive too, with Siakam, Towns, and Barnes all bringing versatility.
But when you stack this group up against a well-oiled machine like the 2024 Celtics, the comparison gets interesting.
Chemistry vs. Collection of Talent
The biggest difference? Cohesion.
The Celtics weren’t just five good players thrown together - they were a team with defined roles, defensive synergy, and playoff-tested leadership. That matters, especially in a hypothetical head-to-head or even a seven-game series.
Would the All-Stars have more raw talent from top to bottom? Probably.
But in a real game scenario, rotations tighten. Most teams - even in an All-Star setting - lean on their top 8 or 9 guys.
And in that scenario, the Celtics' familiarity, defensive identity, and ability to execute in crunch time could give them a real edge.
Could the Celtics Win?
Let’s be clear - this wouldn’t be a walk in the park for Boston. Giannis alone changes the calculus. He’s a matchup nightmare, and when paired with shooters and secondary creators like Brunson, Maxey, and Mitchell, the East All-Stars could absolutely put points on the board.
But the Celtics were built to handle teams like that. They had switchable defenders at every position, rim protection, and a pair of All-NBA wings in Tatum and Brown who could carry the offense. They also had the kind of playoff experience and mental toughness that’s hard to quantify - but impossible to ignore.
So, would the 2024 Celtics beat the 2025-26 East All-Stars? It’s a fun hypothetical.
And while the All-Star team might have more individual talent, Turner’s take isn’t as wild as it sounds. In a real game, with real stakes, don’t be surprised if that Celtics team holds its own - or even walks away with the win.