The Boston Celtics are doing what the Boston Celtics do - defying expectations and staying firmly in the mix, even without their franchise cornerstone, Jayson Tatum. While many anticipated a dip in their performance, Boston has instead kept pace with the top of the Eastern Conference, sitting just 5.5 games behind the red-hot Detroit Pistons with a 29-18 record, tied with the New York Knicks.
And at the heart of it all? Jaylen Brown.
Brown has stepped into the spotlight with a commanding presence, playing some of the best basketball of his career and making a legitimate case for MVP consideration. With Tatum sidelined, Brown hasn’t just held the fort - he’s elevated the team, leading by example on both ends of the floor. His combination of shot creation, defensive intensity, and vocal leadership has kept the Celtics not just afloat, but thriving.
That’s despite missing key pieces like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, both of whom have dealt with injuries. Normally, losing two high-impact veterans would derail a contender’s rhythm.
But Boston hasn’t missed a beat, thanks in part to the emergence of Anfernee Simons. Simons has brought a spark to the rotation, giving the Celtics a much-needed scoring punch and playmaking presence.
Still, with the trade deadline approaching, his name has surfaced in trade chatter - a sign that Boston may not be done tweaking its roster in pursuit of a deeper playoff run.
But while the players are executing on the floor, it’s head coach Joe Mazzulla who continues to be the engine behind the Celtics’ relentless edge. Mazzulla’s coaching style is… unconventional, to say the least. He’s intense, laser-focused, and always looking for ways to push his players beyond their comfort zones - even if that means turning training camp into something that sounds more like a military simulation than basketball practice.
Luka Garza, the Celtics' backup big man, recently shared a wild behind-the-scenes story on the Young Man & The Three podcast. According to Garza, one of the most unforgettable moments from training camp was what he called the “war zone drill.”
“The training camp war zone drill was one of the craziest experiences of my life,” Garza said. “We’re guarding, it was me and Xavier Tillman lined up, and we’re one-on-one defense going just up and back for like twelve straight minutes.
Meanwhile, he turns on the aux, and it’s just like machine gun noises and like bombs are dropping and flying, and I’m like, what is happening right now? But yeah, that was pretty insane.”
Yes, you read that right. Simulated explosions.
Twelve minutes of full-court one-on-one defense. And apparently, Anfernee Simons had to run the drill five times in a row, according to Payton Pritchard.
That’s the kind of intensity Mazzulla demands - and the kind of mental toughness he’s trying to instill in his squad.
It’s not your typical NBA prep, but it speaks volumes about the culture Mazzulla is building in Boston. Grit, focus, and a willingness to embrace the grind - that’s what’s keeping the Celtics competitive, even when the roster isn’t at full strength.
With Brown playing like a superstar, role players stepping up, and Mazzulla pushing all the right buttons (even if they come with sound effects), Boston is proving they’re not going anywhere. The East may be crowded, but the Celtics are right there in the thick of it - battle-tested, quite literally, and ready for whatever comes next.