Expectations were low entering the 2025-26 season for the Celtics.
Beyond Jayson Tatum potentially missing the entire season due to a ruptured Achilles, Boston’s cap-crunched roster was overhauled last summer — with the Celtics losing key cogs like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet during the offseason.
But despite those losses, it clearly hasn’t impacted Boston’s standing as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference this season.
Entering Wednesday’s road game against the Nuggets, the Celtics sit in second place in the East with a record of 38-19 — and have won nine out of their last 10 games.