If you had told most NBA fans back in October that the Boston Celtics would be firmly in the championship conversation by early March, the response would likely be a sympathetic smile.
Losing a franchise player like Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury is a massive setback on even the most stacked of rosters.
With Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford also departing, Boston appeared destined for survival mode rather than a serious playoff run.
At that point, Celtics fans probably started looking at the draft lottery odds rather than the playoff bracket.
Instead, the Celtics are doing the opposite. Boston currently sits at 41-21 and second in the Eastern Conference, a remarkable position considering the injuries and roster changes.
So, how have they done it?
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Jaylen Brown’s MVP level campaign
When Tatum went down in May, it became clear who would have to step up. That man was Jaylen Brown, and he didn’t just step up, he exploded.
The Celtics star is averaging 29 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per game, ranking him among the league’s top scorers whilst shooting close to 48% from the field.
These numbers, especially given the context, have catapulted the 29-year-old into the MVP conversation. With analysts regularly placing him among the league’s favourites.
But the most impressive part of Brown’s season isn’t just his statistics, it’s his leadership.
For almost his whole career he has been considered the second man in the team behind Tatum. But now, fully embracing the number one role, he has lifted the entire team.
Already considered one of the league’s most elite two-way players, Brown has upped his scoring from 22.2 points per game last season to the 29ppg we see currently, whilst remaining to be a reliable defender.
If Boston ends up making a deep playoff run, this season may go down as the moment Brown truly became a Celtics hero.
Derrick White: the league’s most underrated guard?
Whilst Brown grabs the headlines, Derrick White continues to quietly put together yet another complete season.
White has already cemented his name as one of the best defensive guards in the NBA and this season, he’s been no different.
Named Eastern Conference defensive player of the month for February, White is improving game on game.
In February White averaged 1.7 blocks per game, leading Boston to an NBA best 105.5 defensive rating.
To put into perspective how impressive he is defensively as a guard, the NBA record for blocks per game by a guard in a season is 1.6, held by Michael Jordan.
White currently sits on a 1.5 season average, but the possibility of breaking that record is real.
Averaging 17.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game, White has become one of Boston’s most valuable two-way assets.
He might not receive the same plaudits as the league’s defensive superstars, but within Boston’s system his value is undeniable.
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A team effort
One of the biggest surprises of Boston’s season has been how many players have stepped up when needed.
Payton Pritchard has delivered some spectacular scoring performances including several games where he’s put up 20+ points off the bench. His ability to turn it on can swing momentum in minutes.
However, the challenge this season for him is consistency. Pritchard has occasionally struggled against stronger defensive teams.
Looking at his last four games, his points totals read: 22, 0, 25, 0. Electric one night, invisible the next.
But still, that kind of explosive offence is an important weapon Boston may need in the playoffs.
The young players have also played a bigger role than many expected.
Jordan Walsh has shown promising defensive instincts, whilst rookie Hugo González is beginning to look like one of the steals of the draft.
Against the Milwaukee Bucks, González became the youngest player in Celtics history to record 15+ points and 15+ rebounds in a game. He racked up 18 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
Larry Bird is the only other Celtics rookie to record those numbers in a game. Not the worst name to find yourself next to in the record books.
But that isn’t the end for Hugo, he also leads the entire league with a +17.1 net rating, not far off Steph Curry’s +17.3 record for highest individual net rating in a single season (16-17).
Add role players like Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman into the mix, and the Celtics suddenly have a deeper rotation than most realised when the season began.
The center question
If there was one position that felt uncertain for Boston coming into the season, it was center.
Neemias Queta has been putting together an impressive season, averaging 9.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, shooting 64% from the field, one of the most efficient marks among starting centers.
His defensive presence has been significant, adding 1.3 blocks per game while providing the physical interior presence Boston has needed.
There have been flashes to suggest he could be more than just a temporary fix.
His 27-point, 17-rebound performance against Philadelphia just days ago showed exactly what he can offer, dominating the paint on both ends.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic, brought in via the Anfernee Simons trade, has been less predictable.
The veteran center is still capable of productive offensive nights, but he has struggled around the rim.
Opponents are shooting 63.5% at the rim against him, one of the worst marks among big men this season.
It’s early days for the Montenegrin, but it hasn’t been the smoothest start to life in Boston.
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Coaching through chaos
One person who deserves enormous credit for Boston’s season is head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Managing a roster dealing with injuries, trades and young players stepping into larger roles is a difficult task.
Yet Mazzulla has managed to keep the Celtics competitive through the chaos. His fast-paced, three-point heavy offensive system has helped maximise Boston’s depth, allowing role players to step into clear roles and contribute immediately.
His willingness to trust younger players and adjust rotations has kept the Celtics fresh, while Boston’s defensive versatility has allowed them to stay competitive despite constant line-up changes.
Behind the scenes, de facto GM Brad Stevens also deserves recognition for assembling a roster capable of surviving such adversity.
Together, they have turned what could have been a rebuilding year into something far more promising.
The final piece
Of course, the biggest question remains. When will Jayson Tatum return?
If he comes back this season, the Celtics suddenly become a very different opponent.
Add one of the league’s elite players back into a team that has already proven it can win, and Boston suddenly looks like a top-tier championship contender.
The trouble will be reintegrating him smoothly into a system and team that has evolved during his absence.
But if that balance is found smoothly, the Celtics could become one of the most dangerous teams in the postseason.
What began as a disaster has slowly turned into something far more intriguing.
And the rest of the NBA is starting to notice.
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SportJustSport writers