The Boston Celtics have been one of the NBA’s most compelling stories this season - and not just because of their record. They've been defying expectations without their franchise cornerstone, Jayson Tatum, and doing it with a level of grit and cohesion that’s turned heads across the league. But as we head into the stretch run, some clouds are starting to form over what had been a feel-good campaign.
In the latest NBA power rankings, the Celtics slipped from No. 4 to No. 5.
It’s a small drop, but one that reflects a shift in momentum. For weeks, Boston’s surge without Tatum had been buoyed by the hope - and some public signals - that he might return in time for a playoff push.
The All-Star forward was seen working out in front of the media recently, and both he and the organization seemed to be keeping the door open for a comeback.
But that optimism took a hit earlier this week. According to a report from Chris Haynes, Tatum is now considering sitting out the remainder of the season to fully recover from a ruptured Achilles. That’s a major development, and it changes the conversation around Boston’s ceiling.
Add in the fact that the Celtics have gone just 6-6 over their last 12 games, and you start to see why there’s a bit more caution creeping into the outlook. One of their key contributors, Derrick White, has struggled from deep since Christmas, shooting just 25.7% from beyond the arc. That’s a tough blow for a team that relies on spacing and ball movement to generate offense, especially without Tatum drawing double-teams and creating mismatches.
Still, let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture. Boston has already outperformed what most expected when Tatum went down.
They’ve found ways to win, leaned on their depth, and developed a defensive identity that’s kept them competitive night in and night out. This is a team that’s still very much in the mix - just maybe not quite in the inner circle of title contenders unless something changes.
The Celtics face another test Friday night against the Sacramento Kings, but they’ll be without Jaylen Brown, who’s dealing with hamstring tightness and a knee contusion. That’s another challenge for a team that’s already juggling a lot, but if we’ve learned anything about this group, it’s that they’re not going to fold easily.
Whether or not Tatum returns this season remains a major storyline to watch. But for now, Boston is doing what it can to stay afloat in a deep Eastern Conference - and that alone is worth some respect.