After a rocky start to the 2025-26 season, the Boston Celtics have flipped the script in a way few saw coming. What began as a three-game skid, marked by defensive rebounding woes and questions about life without Jayson Tatum, has turned into a stretch of basketball that’s quickly silencing the early-season skeptics.
Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers pushed Boston to 11-6 since that 0-3 start, and 11-9 overall. That’s good for eighth in the Eastern Conference - and just two games separate them from both 11th place and home-court advantage in the first round. In other words, the middle of the East is a logjam, and the Celtics are right in the thick of it.
But it’s not just about the wins - it’s how they’re playing. Over the last 10 games, the Celtics are 7-3, with signature victories over the East-leading Detroit Pistons, the Cavs, and the upstart Orlando Magic (twice). That stretch has been fueled by an offense that finally looks like it’s found its rhythm.
Offensive rhythm returns - and it’s spreading
Over these last 10 games, Boston ranks third in the NBA in offensive rating, trailing only Denver and Houston. That’s a dramatic shift from the early-season struggles, where the process looked fine but the shots simply weren’t falling.
Now? The shots are dropping - and it’s making all the difference.
Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, both reliable shooters throughout their Celtics tenure, have snapped out of their early-season funks. White lit up the Pistons in the second half last Wednesday, while Pritchard torched the Cavs on Sunday with a confident, aggressive scoring display. Their resurgence from deep has helped Boston climb to fourth in the league in three-point percentage during this 7-3 run, connecting at a scorching 39.6%.
Pritchard is hitting 41.7% from deep during that stretch, while White is at 37.8%. But it’s not just the starters - the bench is bringing the heat, too. Anfernee Simons (43.1%), Josh Minott (52.6%), and Baylor Scheierman (50%) are all stretching defenses and giving Boston the kind of floor spacing that unlocks their offense.
Low turnovers, high efficiency - the Celtics' formula is working
One of the most underrated aspects of Boston’s surge? They’re taking care of the basketball. The Celtics lead the league in fewest turnovers per game at just 12.3 - a stat that becomes even more valuable when paired with hot shooting.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla has emphasized all season that Boston’s margin for error is slimmer without Tatum, and that means they have to win the possession battle. So far, they’re doing just that. Fewer turnovers, better shot selection, and more made threes - it’s a formula that’s suddenly working.
Jaylen Brown is carrying the load - and then some
Of course, none of this works without Jaylen Brown stepping into the void left by Tatum. With opposing defenses zeroing in on him night after night, Brown has continued to deliver. He’s been the engine, the anchor, and the go-to scorer when Boston needs a bucket.
His ability to shoulder the offensive load while still defending at a high level has been crucial. It’s also a reminder of how thin the Celtics’ margin is right now. A single injury - especially to Brown - could change everything.
The tank talk? It's fading fast
There was a time, not long ago, when some Celtics fans were eyeing the lottery and dreaming of a top-five pick. But with teams like the Wizards, Pacers, and Nets in full-on rebuild mode - and playing like it - the odds of Boston out-tanking anyone are slim to none.
Could things still go sideways? Sure. But for now, the Celtics look like a team that’s found its identity - and maybe even a little swagger.
Next up: A real test at home
Boston gets a chance to validate this hot streak on Tuesday night when the New York Knicks come to town. It’s a primetime matchup at TD Garden, and a perfect opportunity to see just how real this turnaround is.
The Celtics are starting to look like a team that belongs in the playoff conversation - not the lottery one. And if this version of the offense sticks around, they’re going to be a problem in the East.