The Boston Celtics are who we thought they were: A fringe playoff team that will play hard night in and night out, come up with some marquee wins against top tier opponents, and inexplicably stumble from time to time, too, as they continue to search for a true identity without the services of superstar Jayson Tatum.
In this, a ‘bridge’ year for the franchise, the new-look squad has given fans plenty of reason to pay attention. And even if a championship is more than likely out of the question, that’s all they can ask for.
“We’re getting better every day; don’t count us out,” Jaylen Brown said Tuesday night after dropping a game-high 42 points in his team’s 123-117 win over the Knicks at TD Garden.
“I’m proud of what I’m seeing so far, we just gotta keep it going.”
After a sluggish 0-3 start to the year, Boston has gone 12-6 since and finds itself right in the mix for a postseason berth — or at least a spot in the play-in — at the quarter point of the year.
Of their nine losses, head coach Joe Mazzulla’s group has been run off the floor just once (a 128-101 loss to West power Houston). They’ve beaten some of the East’s best teams, including Cleveland, Philly, Orlando, Detroit and now New York.
They put an end to the East-leading Pistons’ impressive 13-game winning streak, beat the Cavs on the road four nights later, and most recently, rallied back from an early deficit against the Knicks before hanging on for the victory Tuesday evening.
The win over Jalen Brunson and the Knicks, the same Knicks that knocked Boston out of the playoffs last May, was emblematic of the team the Celtics should continue to strive to be: a hard nosed, defensive-minded unit that plays unselfish team basketball.
Their second and third quarters in particular, where they outscored NY 73-44 to build an 18-point lead heading for home, was some of the best hoop they’ve played all season. Boston carries out a somewhat chaotic approach defensively in an effort to make the opponent uncomfortable and get out on the fast break. That was on full display against the Knicks — and it worked.
Yes, Brown (28.4 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 4.8 apg.) is going to lead the Celtics in scoring most nights and has done a phenomenal job in the early goings in taking over as the alpha. If Boston continues on its upward trajectory in terms of wins and losses, he’ll soon find himself firmly in the MVP conversation with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
But it’s the Celtics’ other pieces that have truly kept them afloat.
Third-year wing Jordan Walsh, who was stuck at the end of the bench for the team’s first six games of the season and saw three DNPs, has blossomed into a true defensive stopper whom Mazzulla now relies on for heavy minutes in the starting lineup. He was everywhere on Tuesday and came up with some clutch plays down the stretch to help his team ward off a furious Knicks’ comeback.
Rookie Hugo Gonzalez and third-year forward Josh Minott have been equally effective on defense, and all three players are contributing far beyond the traditional box score.
Seven-foot big man Neemias Queta (9.8 ppg., 8.5 rpg., 1.4 bpg.) has stepped into the starting center role and turned into a nightly double-double threat. He’s been a more than serviceable replacement for the likes of Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
On the contrary, sharpshooting offseason acquisition Anfernee Simons has yet to find a rhythm and fellow newcomer Chris Boucher has been virtually unplayable. But overall, Mazzulla has gotten the most out of his new look group.
It’s been a somewhat surprising revelation for a team many pegged to be headed for the lottery as they await Tatum’s return from an Achilles tear. And if the strong play continues with more consistency, Boston may just turn into buyers at the trade deadline and become a tough out come playoff time.
Nick Giannino covers the Boston Celtics for CNHI Sports. Contact him at NGiannino@nobmg.com and follow him on Twitter/X @NickGiannino_GT.