Nikola Vucevic Begins His Celtics Chapter Amid Growing Pains and Patience
BOSTON - When the Celtics made a move for Nikola Vucevic ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, they weren’t just adding a veteran big man - they were adding a two-time All-Star with 15 years of NBA experience who knows how to score, rebound, and facilitate from the post. But even with that résumé, fitting into a new team midseason is never plug-and-play. And in Boston, where expectations are sky-high, the adjustment period is already underway.
The Celtics sent Anfernee Simons to Chicago in exchange for Vucevic, addressing a clear need for size and depth at the five. Vucevic delivered a solid debut on Friday night, tallying 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists - a classic Vooch stat line that hinted at the offensive versatility he can bring to a team that’s often leaned heavily on its wings and guards.
But Sunday afternoon in New York painted a different picture.
Vucevic struggled to find his rhythm in his second outing, looking tentative at times and getting into foul trouble early. He still managed 11 points, but on just 38.5% shooting, and added 6 rebounds, 2 turnovers, and no assists. The Celtics were out of sync across the board in a 111-89 loss to the Knicks - their most lopsided defeat since early November.
After the game, Jaylen Brown didn’t sugarcoat the reality of where things stand.
“We’ve got to figure out the chemistry a little bit, the flow a little bit,” Brown said. “We want [Vucevic] to be a little bit more aggressive.
Looking for him to get going and make him feel confident in taking those shots and where he can catch the ball. I think he’s still learning, but we need him to be aggressive.”
That’s the key word right now: learning.
Vucevic has come off the bench in both of his Celtics appearances - a shift from his role in Chicago, where he started every game this season. But he’s taking it in stride. During his introductory press conference on Friday, he acknowledged the adjustment, saying he understands his role in Boston will be different than what it was in Chicago or Orlando.
“I totally understand that my role would be different than what it was for most of my career,” Vucevic said. “That might take some time to adjust to coming off the bench and maybe playing different minutes and things like that, but it’s all part of the process.”
And it is a process - especially in Boston’s system, which demands a lot from its bigs on both ends. The Celtics lean heavily on switching, spacing, and quick reads. It’s not just about knowing where to be; it’s about anticipating where the ball is going next.
“I know what it’s like to be traded, on a new team,” said Derrick White, who went through a similar transition when he joined the Celtics in 2022. “Luckily for me, I knew most of the stuff and terminology, so he’s kind of getting it completely different. So, [I’ll] just welcome him with open arms and try to help any way I can.”
While Vucevic’s individual performance drew attention, it wasn’t the root of Boston’s issues on Sunday. The Celtics shot just 37% from the field and a season-low 17% from three - a brutal night by any standard. Despite generating open looks, the shots simply didn’t fall.
“We created a bunch of open looks,” Brown said. “We’ve just got to step in with confidence and knock them down.”
The Knicks, meanwhile, did exactly that - hitting 14 threes to Boston’s 7 and playing with a defensive edge that kept the Celtics on their heels. It was a classic case of one team clicking and the other searching for answers.
Still, there’s no panic in Boston’s locker room - and that’s telling. Even after a rough loss, players were upbeat, chatting about the upcoming Super Bowl and keeping things light. They know it’s a long season, and this team has been through enough battles to understand that one bad night doesn’t define a stretch.
“It’s kind of tough on the fly,” White said of incorporating a new piece like Vucevic. “And, I mean, we’re two games in. It’s nothing to really be worried about.”
The Celtics have one more game - Wednesday night against the Bulls, Vucevic’s former team - before the All-Star break. That matchup will be a reunion of sorts, but more importantly, it’s another opportunity for Vucevic to continue learning the Celtics’ system and finding his place in the rotation.
Once the break hits, Boston’s coaching staff will have time to dig into the film, evaluate fit, and start refining how to best use their new big man. And Vucevic, for his part, seems ready to embrace whatever comes.
This isn’t about instant results. It’s about building something sustainable - and if Vucevic can settle into his role and bring the offensive punch and rebounding prowess he’s known for, the Celtics may have just added a key piece for the stretch run.