The Boston Celtics performed better than anyone expected in 2025-26. They entered this season with very low expectations as there was no guarantee that top star Jayson Tatum would suit up as he recovered from a torn Achilles suffered the previous spring. However, an MVP-caliber season from Jaylen Brown and a defense that gave up a league-leading 107.2 points per game, earning them the No. 2 seed in the East playoffs.

With Tatum returning in March and immediately looking impressive, the Celtics began the postseason as favorites to reach the NBA Finals. However, despite having a 3–1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, they were surprisingly eliminated in the opening round for the first time since the bubble playoffs.

His exit in the first round raises many questions on the structure of this team. Could they be finals contenders as they try to field two players with supermax contracts? Is making the playoffs every year enough? If the goal is to compete for championships, the Celtics need to make some big changes.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five bold deals the Celtics could make this summer.

Bam Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and first-round picks Jaylen Brown in 2028, 2030 and 2032

If the Celtics decide they need to move one of those supermax contracts, Brown will likely be the odd man out, despite being an MVP candidate. But if they ever wanted to trade him, now would be the right time as his value is as high as it will ever be.

If there’s any glaring weakness for Boston, it’s in the front court. If they trade Brown, they still have strong core talent in Tatum and Derrick White. This is why Miami Heat great Bam Adebayo could be a trade target. He will give them both a defensive force on the front line and a good scorer who will help make up for the points left due to losing the Browns.

A deal that sends Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and two future first-round picks should get a deal done.

Jaylen Brown, Malik Monk, two first picks, including lottery selection in June, for Domantas Sabonis

Another potential target to strengthen the front court could be three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. While the Sacramento Kings star isn’t a defensive force, he is an elite rebounder and can stretch the floor just like Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.

To put the money to work, the Celtics would need to pick up the two years and $41 million remaining on Malik Monk’s contract. But if they get two first-rounders back in the deal, including the Kings’ lottery pick in June, that’s fine. The biggest issue is that Sacramento will have to find a trade for Zach LaVine and/or DeMar DeRozan after a deal is made.

Derrick White for Jakob Poeltl and Grady Dick

The Celtics don’t need to trade Brown to be better in 2026-27. However, this would mean they would have to move on from fan-favorite defensive player Derrick White. A potential trade could see the two-time All-Defensive Team honoree sent to the Toronto Raptors for centers Jakob Poeltl and Grady Dick.

While it’s not a sexy trade on the surface, Poeltl is a rock-solid and strong anchor in the front court that does everything you need to stabilize that position. As for Dick, he could be a potential steal who could be an impact player in Joe Mazzulla’s three-point-heavy attack.

Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Since Brown had such an impressive season, another option would be a swap for Milwaukee Bucks great Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Greek icon has more accolades, Brown is a few years younger and far healthier than the 10-time All-Star has been in recent years. If necessary, the Celtics can add a future first-rounder, but they shouldn’t add more than that.

The Bucks will get to build a new star in his prime, while the Celtics can experiment with the combo of Antetokounmpo and Tatum for a season. If that doesn’t work out, they free up a ton of cap space after next season if he opts out in search of a new long-term deal.

Jaylen Brown for Alpern Sengun, Fred VanVleet and two first-round picks

An interesting young star who could be on the trade block this summer, and who addresses the Celtics’ frontcourt needs, is Houston Rockets two-time All-Star Alpern Sengun. While he has been questioned for his play consistently and early in the playoffs, he is still only 23 and has excelled in Ime Udoka’s defense-first system.

Houston would be interested in a championship by pairing Jaylen Brown with Kevin Durant in 2026-27. But Sengun and Tatum have plenty of long-term potential. Additionally, to make the money work, the Celtics would get veteran guard Fred VanVleet (if he opts into the final year of his deal) and two future first-round picks.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Boston Celtics got some terrible news about their top star just hours before a do-or-die Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Celtics 2025-26 season could surprisingly end in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs if they can’t figure out how to slow down the 76ers in the last two games and get a win at home tonight. Although they struggled in Games 5 and 6, there are still many who think they can pull out a win in Game 7.

However, the prospects for doing so have become increasingly difficult. According to Chris Haynes, “Jason Tatum has been downgraded to questionable for Game 7 tonight because he is dealing with knee stiffness.”

This is terrible news for Boston at the worst time. Still, it’s something the team should be concerned about in the long term, too. In recent days, there has been discussion about Tatum dealing with calf strain. Which makes sense because he made a surprisingly quick return to the floor from a torn Achilles in early March.

However, his knee problems are unexpected. Is this due to overcompensation as he builds confidence in his surgically repaired tendon? Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton both suffered similar injuries during last year’s playoffs, and the pair missed the entire 2025-26 season.

Being doubtful does not mean that he will not be able to play Saturday’s match. However, the Celtics have lost by double digits in each of the last two games the six-time All-Star has been on the floor. It’s hard to imagine that they’ll be able to overcome a fully healthy Philly team without him tonight.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks are tied 2-2 in the first round. If New York finds a way to advance, the Boston Celtics could wait in the second round, and the debate is already beginning on what the Knicks need to do.

On the First Take X account, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith made his position clear. The seven-game series loss to Boston in the semifinals should not be used as a reason to gut the roster or fire the coach.

“If the New York Knicks go, and they lose in the semi-finals in a 7-game series against the Boston Celtics, I don’t think there’s any reason to say, ‘The coach has to go. These players have to go.'”

But Stephen A didn’t stop at defending the Knicks. He emphasized why Boston deserves such an honor in the first place. Tatum is recovering from sports. Brown is playing like an MVP candidate. And the difference between this Celtics team and the team that beat New York last year is real.

“If we’re being honest, there’s no shame in losing to the Boston Celtics despite the fact that you beat Boston last year. If Jayson Tatum is healthy, which he looks better and better, and Jalen Brown is an MVP candidate, the Boston Celtics are no joke. The Boston Celtics are capable of winning the chip.”

Stephen A. Why Smith thinks the Celtics are still a championship threat in 2026

It’s not just Tatum and Brown. Stephen A went through the entire roster, coaching staff and front office and explained why Boston is built differently, and the first thing he pointed out was how many ways this team can hurt you.

“In a lot of people’s eyes they live and die with the three. But the thing that has to amaze us is that we have to run, and I don’t forget to mention the Peyton Pritchetts of the world and the Derek Whites of the world and what they bring to the table, and Joey Mazzola and Sam Cassell, and those brothers and how exceptionally well they coach.”

Then she gave her flowers to Brad Stevens.

“But the thing that amazes me about Boston, I can’t forget to mention Brad Stevens, who knows what he’s doing as an executive, who is inheritor of the work that the great Nanny Engel did in Boston. He deserves a lot of credit.”

Then came the part that redefines everything. Tatum and Brown are not veterans retiring. They are still climbing.

“Jalen Brown is on the verge of going to his seventh conference finals. Jayson Tatum is on the verge of going to his sixth conference finals. And did you know that neither of them are 30 years old yet? Think about it. Neither of them are 30 years old.”

“None of them are like, you know, it’s like we’ve forgotten that all these brothers are still young. They’re not some age. We look at them and we’re amazed when KD is healthy, KD is 37. We’re looking at Steph Curry, 37, 38. We’re looking at LeBron James, 41. Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum are not 30 years old. “Actually, they’re not 29.”

This brought him back to where he started.

“So I’m looking at them. I feel like, if the New York Knicks go and they lose in the semi-finals to the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series, I don’t think there’s any reason to say the coach has to go. These players have to go, blah, blah, blah.”

The Knicks defeated Boston last year, but Tatum was lost in Game 4 with an Achilles injury. He is now back and healthy. Losing to this version of the Celtics in seven games would not be a failure for New York. This would mean that they would be playing on a team that is built to win championships.

Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from London School of Journalism and has four years of experience… More about Jayesh Pagar

The New York Sirens could not make a dent on the scoreboard in their regular season finale on Saturday afternoon, losing 4–0 to the Boston Fleet at the Tsongas Center.

Erin Frankel set a new PWHL record with her eighth shutout of the season and Boston scored four times in the third period to earn its 16th regulation win.

New York held a 24–8 lead in shots for the first 40 minutes, but failed to overcome Frankel, who made 30 saves in 60:00. Boston swept the ice in the third, outscoring the siren 16–6.

“I think today’s game was a really good sign for our season,” Sirens coach Greg Fargo admitted after the game. “We’re playing well, we’ve got a second team, and we can’t find a way to get that first or second team. So you get a team that’s as good as Boston, and they’re going to pay you.”

Sirens finished the season in seventh place with 36 points (9-3-3-15); Their 15 regulation losses ranked second in the league behind the Seattle Torrents (16). The Fleet improved to 62 points (16-5-5-4), passing the Montreal Victoire for first place, although Montreal earned the No. 1 seed via tiebreaker.

With no playoff or draft implications on Saturday, Sirens coach Greg Fargo turned to rookie goalie Kelly Shanahan for her third start this season, and New York got things under control early. Boston managed only one shot in the first period, which was completely neutralized by an aggressive Siren forecheck.

But Fleet made a breakthrough in the third, leading Shanahan by three points and reaching a scoreless tie. Former Sirens forward Jessie Aldridge deflected a long shot from captain Megan Keller just 2:53 into the frame to give Boston a 1–0 lead. Ella Huber increased the lead to 2-0 at 7:28, collecting the puck in the slot and speeding past Shanahan on the glove side. With the Fleet on the power play, rookie defender Haley Winn picked up the corner on a long shot from the point, blasting in a one-time feed from Keller to make it 3-0 at 13:43.

Fargo pulled Shanahan to take a 6-on-4 lead after a boarding penalty on Fleet defender Noemi Neubauerova at 14:29 of the third, but Jill Saulnier won a puck battle in Boston’s zone and scored an empty-netter at 14:56.

Keller, Eldridge and Liz Schepers each scored two points; Keller led all PWHL defensemen with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 2025–26.

“I thought we did a good job of getting first touches on pucks on both ends of the rink in the first 40 minutes of the game, and that led to a lot of offensive zone time. We had few chances offensively, and were really limited on their timing and the quality of their looks,” Fargo said. “I have to give credit to Boston, they definitely had a little something up their sleeves in the third period and came at us. And credit to them for doing that, and the way they finished the game.”

The Fleet won their 11th consecutive game against the Sirens, the longest winning streak between two teams in PWHL history. New York’s last win against Boston came on March 25, 2024, during the league’s inaugural season.

Highlights after Sirens’ season ends with shutout loss to Fleet

The siren’s crime subsides in the final stages

Despite strong shot totals, New York’s offense slowed toward the end of the 2025–26 season.

After losing star rookie Kristina Kaltunkova to a season-ending lower-body injury, Ciaran averaged 1.6 goals in her final nine games, scoring one or fewer goals in six of those contests. Saturday marked New York’s fifth shutout loss of the season after being shut out just once in 30 games last season.

Saturday followed a familiar script. The Sirens dictated the game in the first 40 minutes, but had nothing to show. The power play once again faltered and four chances went waste.

New York’s offense relied heavily on star forward Sarah Fillear and rookie center Casey O’Brien in the final month. Both performed well, but the Sirens’ thin attack proved difficult to sustain, especially against red-hot goaltenders like Regan Kirk, Gwyneth Phillips and Frankel.

The Sirens have outscored opponents in six of their last nine games, and Fargo often praised the offensive process, but this is a results-based business at the end of the day — and the results weren’t there when it mattered most.

Fargo ‘proud of growth’ from youth group

In training camp in November, the Sirens set their sights on the first postseason berth in franchise history. For the third consecutive season, that goal eluded them.

Fargo said after the game, “It’s definitely sad to miss the playoffs. We want to be there. That’s where we set our goals at the beginning of the year.” “But at the same time, you have to appreciate the growth of this group.”

New York was the youngest team ever in the PWHL this season. When the Sirens acquired Minnesota Frost forward Denisa Krisova in a trade in late March, the 31-year-old immediately became the team’s oldest player – and the only one over the age of 30.

The young man quickly became one of their greatest assets. Despite major changes in the offseason, a new-look Sirens team started 7–0–0–3. That pace eventually slowed, but the New York rookie continued to impress.

The first-round combination of Kaltunkova (No. 1 overall) and O’Brien (No. 3 overall) headlined a deep rookie class that paced the PWHL with 28 goals and 62 points. Kaltunkova scored 11 goals in 21 games before being placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), and O’Brien led all rookies with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists).

Fourth-round pick Maddie Wheeler (No. 28 overall) made an immediate impact on New York’s top six with her physical 200-yard game, finishing fifth in team scoring with 10 points (three goals, seven assists). Second-round pick Anne Cherkovsky (No. 9 overall) wasn’t far behind with nine points (two goals, seven assists). Undrafted reserve defender Nicole Valario worked her way into a steady role in the Sirens’ defensive core, entering the third pairing following the departure of veteran blue-liner Jincy Rouse.

Fargo said, “We’ve got a young team with a young core. And I think we were able to take some positive steps this year.” “There are parts of our game that we really like. Obviously, we have to find ways to score.”

Outside of the rookies, second-year defender Maja Nylen Persson scored a career-high 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 2025–26, and Petey Lewis reached double-digit scoring (10 points) for the first time in his three-year PWHL career.

“I’m really proud of the growth of this group, this organization,” Fargo said. “I think we’ve taken a lot of steps forward.”

Sirens coach addresses ‘untenable’ extension rumors

Unfortunately for New York, keeping that young core together could be quite a challenge.

The PWHL has not released specific details yet, but all signs point to another batch of expansion teams joining the league this offseason. If last offseason was any indication, another roster overhaul may be in store for the Sirens.

“It’s upsetting,” Fargo said of the uncertain offseason. “We feel really good about the group we have in the locker room. It’s been a challenge to build a team from day one.”

Sirens coach Greg Fargo spoke on the looming threat of another expansion following New York’s regular season finale:

“It’s upsetting because we feel really good about the group we have in the locker room. Building a team from day one has been a challenge. And so I think if… pic.twitter.com/HEC5Qd2R04

– Lou Orlando (@SweetLouuuu) 25 April 2026

Under last offseason’s rules, teams were allowed to protect up to three players they had rights to. Once two players were taken to extensions, teams could add a fourth player to their protected list. It’s unclear whether this offseason will follow the same format, but anything remotely like that would result in a big loss for New York.

“I think if there’s a way to keep a good number of players and staff together in that room, we feel really good about what we’re building. It’s just a matter of whether we can keep it together for a long time,” Fargo continued. “We know there will likely be some bumps in the road, but we will do our best to try and adapt and put together the best group we can possibly have come next season.”

On top of the extension, the Sirens have 11 players set to become unrestricted free agents, including Kristin O’Neal, Taylor Girard and midseason additions Claire DeGeorge and Chrisova. General manager Pascal Daoust has his work cut out for him.

Lou Orlando is an alumnus of Fordham University, where he covered the New York Rangers for three seasons… More about Lou Orlando

A new rumor suggests that the Kansas City Chiefs will have an opportunity to move up in Round 2 of the NFL Draft and acquire the talented wide receiver they did not select in Round 1.

The chief was busy on Thursday night. They entered the night with not one, but two picks in Round 1. Selection No. 9 and 29 respectively. However, they were aggressive early on and actually moved up three spots in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. However, this was not meant to go after any offensive lineman or stud receiver. Instead, they drafted Trent McDuffie’s replacement in LSU cornerback Mansur Delaney.

Then, at age 29, they came to the rescue again when they used their pick on Clemson tackle Peter Woods. Going heavy on defense with their first two picks surprised some. Especially since Patrick Mahomes needs more weapons in the passing game, Travis Kelce is likely to retire after this season. Well, that opportunity may come as early as Friday night in Round 2.

Could the KC Chiefs move up to draft Denzel Boston on Friday night?

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, “The San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills have received calls about potential trades at the top of Round 2 tonight, in what could be a busy trade night.”

The first selection of the trio of teams took place on Friday at Nos. 33, 34 and 35. Washington receiver Denzel Boston is still among the best players available. He has a very good start, good speed, is effective at winning jump balls and competitive pass battles, and is a problem in the red zone. The Chiefs will love the skills he gets next season.

It will be interesting to see if they try to move up again, this time with their pick at 40, and go after the impact pass catcher they missed in the early rounds.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Boston Red Sox came into the season with aspirations of winning the AL East, and some in baseball saw them as World Series contenders. Hours after the series loss to the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park, fans were criticizing the team and chanting “sell the team”, with at least one fan-favorite echoing the frustration to some extent.

Speaking to reports after Sunday’s loss to the Padres, outfielder Roman Anthony criticized the team’s energy and made it clear that the way everyone is playing is unacceptable.

“We need to find a way to bring more energy and be better. This is unacceptable. This is unacceptable to the fans. This is unacceptable to the standard we set for ourselves.”

Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox after Sunday’s loss to the San Diego Padres

RELATED: MLB Power Rankings Week 1, see where the BOS Red Sox stand

What went wrong for the Red Sox?

Things looked promising on opening day. Boston opened the season with a 3–0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Anthony went 3-for-4, Trevor Story had an RBI single, Jaren Duran went 2-for-5 at the plate with an RBI, Marcelo Meyer went 2-for-2 off the bench with two runs scored, and Sedan Rafaela went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Since then it has been largely downhill.

In eight games played from March 28 to April 5, the Red Sox lineup has collectively posted a .211/.286/.374 triple-slash line. According to FanGraphs, during that span Boston ranked 25th in runs scored (27), 25th in walk rate (8.5 percent) and 18th in OPS (.659), along with the second-highest strikeout rate in baseball (29.2 percent).

Anthony has been part of the problem after his stint with Team USA. He got off to a strong start on Opening Day, but has since posted a .167/.242/.333 triple-slash line with a 36.4 percent strikeout rate in 33 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Meyer (.136/.200/.364), Story (.108/.108/.216), and Duran (.160 batting average) have also been disappointing since their season-opening win.

Pitching has also been a problem for Boston. Top free-agent signee Ranger Suarez has given up 13 hits and eight earned runs in 8.1 innings in his first two starts, Brian Bello (eight hits and five earned runs) was rough in his first start of the season, and Conley Early’s command was an issue Saturday.

As Fenway Sports Group continues to ask fans to pay more at the ballpark, the product on the field is deteriorating. Given everything that’s happened so far, it’s no surprise that fans chanted “Sell the team” at Fenway Park on Sunday, and we’ll hear more of that in Boston down the road.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Boston Celtics delivered one of their best performances of the season in a 119–109 victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Boston snapped the league’s longest active streak of 12 wins, pushing itself to 48–24 for the season.

The impressive manner in which the win was accomplished was also acknowledged by Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who claimed his team was on a different level according to a post on X by Daniel Donabedian.

Joe Mazzulla explained how he thought the Celtics contributed to their win tonight:

“I like the fact that we brought physicality. I like the fact that we brought our offensive organization. I like that we executed. I like that we took it to a different level defensively.” pic.twitter.com/oQVzqGDkhL

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 26 March 2026

“I like the fact that we brought physicality. I like that we brought our offensive organization. I like that we executed. I like that we took it to a different level defensively,” Mazzulla said.

After trailing by nearly 13 points in the first quarter and shooting only 29.2% early on, the Celtics proceeded to methodically flip the script. The turning point came early in the fourth quarter, where a 20–11 run turned a five-point lead into a 14-point lead (108–94).

Six different players contributed to that surge. Despite this, Jaylen Brown was once again the main man, finishing with 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Jayson Tatum, who has become stronger since returning from injury, had 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, going 3-6 from beyond the arc. A total of six Boston players scored in double figures, with Peyton Pritchard and Baylor Scheuerman adding 14 and 11 off the bench.

For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 33 points, while also contributing eight assists and two steals. Brown outscored Gilgeous-Alexander 10-7 in the fourth quarter and shot a perfect 3-for-3 in that period, playing a major role in the win.

Despite OKC’s early control, resulting in an 11-point lead after the first quarter, the Celtics struggled as a unit, outscoring the defending champions from beyond the arc as they converted 18 of their 41 three-pointers, compared to 12/37 for the Thunder. Regardless, as Mazzulla claimed, it was Boston’s ability to restrict their opponents that was the major reason behind the victory.

The Boston Celtics were expected to have a turnaround season, with Jayson Tatum out due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered in May 2025. However, the script has been flipped in more ways than one, with the Celtics currently sitting in second place in the East with a 47-24 record and Jayson Tatum slowly getting back to his best once again.

So much so that Tracy McGrady branded Boston as the only team in the East he believes can win a championship during his appearance on the Cousins ​​Podcast.

“Do we really think about Cleveland and New York? I think Boston is coming out of the East. I think they can win the championship. I don’t think there’s any other team out of the East, no matter who they play coming out of the East, I think the West is going to win. The only team I have confidence in to win is the Boston Celtics,” he said.

“The only team I have confidence in winning a championship in the East is the Boston Celtics.”

“I don’t think any other team, no matter who they play, if they come from the East, I think the West will win.”

👀🍀 @Tmac_213 pic.twitter.com/pVWzFifBCR

– Cousin of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady (@VinceAndTmac) 25 March 2026

Of course, in addition to the talent they have despite the fire sale before the campaign, the Celtics also benefit from Joe Mazzulla’s system.

“Being proven, you have not one but two guys that can lead the team. MVP candidates, up front, and you have a system that understands who they are, whether it’s the regular season, preseason, or postseason. So they don’t have to change, how they’re playing now is the way they’re going to play, nothing is going to change,” McGrady concluded.

Tracy McGrady praises the Celtics

He talked about Derrick White and praised the 31-year-old player’s versatility. McGrady claimed that White was able to defend the opponent’s best player, rebound at a high level, and score 20 points and assists to win any game for Boston.

“He can give you exactly what you need to win,” McGrady said.

In the eight games since his return, Tatum has averaged 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting nearly 47% from the field. And while there is room for improvement, McGrady believes there won’t be room for improvement until the playoffs arrive.

“Tatum is coming back, looks really good. He’s playing aggressive basketball. By the time he gets to the playoffs, I think we’ll be (saying)…Boy, he looks like his old self,” he concluded.

While Boston has the experience, personnel and system, McGrady may have gone too far in giving the other top teams in the East a discount. For example, the Detroit Pistons have a 52-19 record this season, while the Cavaliers add James Harden to a team that finished last campaign 64-18. Additionally, the Knicks also have a lot of talent, allowing many teams to emerge from the East, at least on paper.

According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, the Boston Celtics are signing center Charles Bassey to a second 10-day contract as the team moves to meet the NBA’s minimum roster requirement.

Himmelsbach reported the move on Wednesday at X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Celtics are signing forward Charles Bassey to a second 10-day contract today, according to a league source.”

Bassey’s initial 10-day contract expired overnight, leaving Boston with 13 players on standard deals. The Celtics had already reached the league’s 28-day limit on carrying fewer than 14 players, making an immediate roster transfer necessary to comply with NBA rules before Thursday.

The 25-year-old center has seen limited action during his tenure with Boston. He has appeared in two games, most recently in a 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. In that contest, Bassey recorded two points, one rebound and one steal in two minutes.

Celtics sign Charles Bassey to second 10-day contract to meet roster minimum

Originally selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft, Bassey has spent time with several teams during his career. He played his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers and also had a stint with the San Antonio Spurs before joining Boston.

During the 2025–26 season, Basi has averaged 2.6 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field in five appearances. He has logged 7.8 minutes per game in a limited role.

The Celtics enter Wednesday night with a 47-24 record and are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder (57-15) at 7:30 pm ET. Boston is currently tied with the New York Knicks (48-25) in the race for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, who are on a seven-game winning streak.

The 2026 NFL Draft class is quite deep at wide receiver, with at least five wideouts expected to be taken in Round 1. One of the pass-catchers who is generating a lot of interest in the pre-draft process is Washington Huskies standout Denzel Boston.

According to Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, Boston has interest from the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints. They are among at least 10 teams that have scheduled predraft visits with Boston.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft

• Denzel Boston Stats (2025): 62 receptions, 881 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns, 14.2 yards per reception

Standing 6-foot-4, Boston offers prototypical size for an outside wide receiver. He earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as the leading receiver for the Huskies last season and followed that with a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine.

While New Orleans (Chris Olave) and Buffalo (DJ Moore) have proven No. 1 wide receivers, Boston brings a complementary skill set. He offers an excellent catch radius with tremendous ball skills and strong hands, providing the ability to become a red-zone weapon for long periods of time and even help on some downfield 50-50 balls.

RELATED: Early bold predictions for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft

In terms of his career trajectory, the Saints or Bills would be better landing spots for Boston. He can play more of a complementary role in Buffalo’s passing game, catching passes from Josh Allen and playing alongside Moore and Dalton Kincaid. New Orleans offers another ideal situation, where he could be paired with Olave and second-year quarterback Tyler Shaw.

Miami will have a very clear path to goals, but he’ll also be joining a team in the early stages of a rebuild with an offensive play-caller in Bobby Slovic, who has had mixed results in that role. Given that Miami and New Orleans both have top-11 picks, those two clubs are likely looking at him as an option early in Round 2 or as a potential trade-up target.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Minnesota Timberwolves finally ended an unwanted streak against the Boston Celtics after earning a 102-92 win at TD Garden on Sunday.

Thankfully, the Timberwolves had lost 18 consecutive games in Boston before breaking the decade-long skid.

Bones Hyland had a stellar performance for Minnesota, scoring 23 points on 8-14 shooting off the bench. He also had three rebounds and three assists, improving to 44-28, including 20-15 on the road.

The last time the Timberwolves beat the Celtics at home was in 2005. According to Statmuse, the team’s starting five That included Kevin Garnett, Latrell Sprewell, Troy Hudson, Trenton Hassell and John Thomas.

Wolves starters last time they won in Boston:

– Latrell Sprewell
-Kevin Garnett
– John Thomas
– Trenton Hassell
– Troy Hudson

Tonight they broke an 18 game losing streak. pic.twitter.com/dbzxbIsZeB

– Statmuse (@statmuse) 23 March 2026

Minnesota won 99–97 after Sprewell scored with 0.9 seconds remaining. Garnett, who was coming off an MVP season, had 21 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. Wally Szczerbiak added 20 points, four rebounds and four assists off the bench.

Garnett and Szczerbiak eventually played for the Celtics.

When the 25-year-old Hyland was told about Minnesota winning in Boston last fall, he was surprised, the Associated Press reports.

“Dang, that doesn’t even feel right. I was five years old. This is crazy,” Hyland said.

He stepped up for the Timberwolves, with Julius Randle struggling for only nine points on 3 of 14 shooting.

Hyland has been playing well in the absence of Anthony Edwards, who is out for two weeks with a knee injury.

Jaden McDaniels had 19 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Ayo Dosunmu added 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks.

The Timberwolves, who are 3-3 in their last six games, host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

The Boston Celtics have been playing well all season, and they have gotten even better over the past few weeks with the return of Jayson Tatum to the lineup. They are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and they have an opportunity to climb to No. 1 with the latest news of Cade Cunningham suffering from a bad lung.

The Detroit Pistons have been on top of the Eastern Conference all season, and Cunningham has been the engine of their success. It is uncertain how long he will be sidelined, but it could be three weeks or even six weeks. Any deadline would be after the regular season, meaning the Pistons may struggle without their star player.

The Celtics, on the other hand, have everything they need, and they are ready to make a run.

It won’t be all easy for the Celtics, as they have the league’s seventh-toughest schedule remaining. They still have matchups with the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks, and two matchups with the Atlanta Hawks, who are currently on an 11-game winning streak. The Celtics can beat these teams, but they’ll have to work for it.

Additionally, if the Celtics have the same record as the Pistons at the end of the season, they will still be the No. 2 seed because they do not have a tiebreaker. That means if the Celtics want to capture the No. 1 seed, they’ll have to stay ahead by a few games.

The Pistons are left with the 15th toughest schedule in the league, and that’s probably good news for them as they try to move forward without their star player.

It will be interesting to see if the Celtics can make a move with a few weeks left in the regular season, but there’s no doubt it can be done.

BOSTON — This latest six-game road trip is basically a brief reunion tour for Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis. With stops in New York, Washington, DC, Atlanta and Dallas, Porzingis has been making waves in the city of every team he has been with throughout his decade in the NBA. But this latest stop in Boston, the city where he helped the Celtics win their first title in sixteen years, is the place where it may mean the most.

At the Warriors’ morning shootaround, Porzingis spoke to the media about his time playing in Boston and all of the good memories he has with the Celtics.

“It feels good to be back,” Porzingis smiled. “It’s a little weird. I missed the city. Of course, as you’re reading, I missed everything. Honestly, it’s good memories. You know, [it] It’s weird to be back a little bit, but it’s a good feeling.”

Porzingis joined Boston via trade with the Washington Wizards in the summer of 2023, with hopes he could give the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown Celtics a boost up front. And with his size, defense and shooting, Porzingis did exactly that.

he averaged Averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 blocks in 57 games in 2023-24. And while injuries sidelined him in the second and third rounds of the NBA Playoffs, Porzingis made a triumphant return in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, rocking TD Garden when he scored 18 points off the bench in the first half.

But for all of his basketball successes with the Celtics, what Porzingis remembers most about his time in Bean Town is the city itself.

“[I remember] A lot of little moments, even outside of basketball,” Porzingis said. “Being in the city, my little places to go for coffee, just overall my life in Boston, I really enjoyed it. Basketball was very stressful here. I won’t lie, but it comes with character. And we did it. So I would say the whole package was special.

Kristaps Porzingis after leaving the Celtics

But while the memories of Boston will remain fond, it has been a bit of a rough ride for Porzingis since leaving. Porzingis played only 42 games in the Celtics’ title defense season, as injuries derailed his availability. And when the New York Knicks eliminated Boston in six games, with Tatum tearing his Achilles in the process, it signaled the end of that iteration of the Celtics, as salary cap issues would prove too costly to run it back.

As such, the Celtics sent Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks as a sacrifice to avoid the second apron penalty. And in Atlanta, things will get worse. Porzingis was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a chronic condition that cut his time in Atlanta short. Porzingis would only play 17 games for the Hawks before the Warriors traded him for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.

And while Porzingis has recently gotten healthy, scoring a season-high 30 points last night in D.C., the illness sidelined him for six games just after joining the Warriors. It’s safe to say that it’s been a tough season for Latvians.

“This season has been rough,” Porzingis admitted. “But now I’m healthy. Feeling really good. So I’m getting a real good feeling about basketball again, you know? Which is the most important, because everything else goes second when you’re not feeling right.

“It’s natural to feel that way, and now, when I’m really getting my feet back, getting in good shape, it’s a good reminder of why I love it. Just enjoying playing here.”

Kristaps Porzingis’ expectations from the Boston crowd

The POTS situation, along with the illness, is why this season has been so disappointing for Porzingis. From constantly feeling low on energy, to constant fatigue, to sudden bouts of illness, it has been a tough time for the big man.

But as far as whether it would put his career in question, Porzingis didn’t want to go there.

“I really didn’t want to get those thoughts in my mind,” Porzingis explained.

“Even in general, for life, I don’t want to live at 60% of my energy. I don’t want to feel – I don’t want to live this way. Eventually, I will find a way. No matter what, I will find a way to get how I feel to where I need to feel. At least I’m close to where I was, you know? And I honestly did. Now I’m healing really well again. Everything is back. So I finally feel. “I am starting to be myself again.”

Either way, it will be a heartwarming return for Porzingis in Boston. She will get the full red carpet. A tribute video, standing ovations, high-fives and hugs from past teammates and coaches, the whole nine yards. But whether it will make him emotional or not, Porzingis can’t say.

“I don’t know. But not in the middle of the game, like, I’m not going to cry then,” Porzingis said, laughing. “But definitely, good memories. Good, good memories. Honestly, thinking about it now, I got a good feeling. Obviously I loved my team here a lot, and let’s see how tonight goes.”

On Monday evening, the Boston Celtics continued their winning ways with a narrow home win over the Phoenix Suns. The Celtics were led by Jaylen Brown, who scored an impressive 41 points on the evening, while Jayson Tatum also remains in form amid his return from an Achilles tear.

Recently, ESPN NBA analyst and former Celtics great Kendrick Perkins expressed his thoughts in “First Take” on why Boston should be viewed as the favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference this year.

“The Boston Celtics are coming off the Eastern Conference. … The way Jayson Tatum has looked since returning from that Achilles injury … I see [them] And I’m saying that’s what this couple has proven right here,” Perkins said, according to X, formerly @lockedupjb on Twitter.

In fact, Tatum and Brown have a plethora of playoff experience, both positive and negative, on their resumes, capped by their championship run in the 2024 season, in which Brown won NBA Finals MVP honors.

Meanwhile, Tatum isn’t looking like the full version of himself right now, as should be expected as he recovers from Achilles surgery after nearly a year off, but Celtics fans should still be encouraged by how much progress he’s made from where he started a week ago against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Eastern Conference, despite its reputation, is loaded with talent this year, and Boston will have some challengers, including the Detroit Pistons and the team that beat them last year, the New York Knicks.

However, if Boston doesn’t suffer one of their infamous playoff meltdowns this year, the team clearly has the talent to compete with anyone, not just in the Eastern Conference, but in the entire NBA.

The Boston Celtics have made a contract decision involving one of their two-way players. Luckily for rookie Max Shulga, he was the player who got his first standard contract.

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, Shulga signed a two-year contract with the Celtics on Saturday. Boston got the young guard in the second round of the 2025 draft, acquiring him from the Orlando Magic.

“The Boston Celtics are signing two-way forward Max Shulga to a standard two-year contract. The Ukrainian guard went to Boston with the No. 57 pick in last June’s NBA draft and has spent the season with Maine in the G League,” Charania wrote, sources told ESPN.

Shulga has made cameos in his rookie season, appearing in three games in which he played 1.7 minutes per contest. He attempted only one shot in that limited time and committed two fouls.

The Boston Celtics are signing two-way forward Max Shulga to a standard two-year contract, sources tell ESPN. The Ukrainian guard went to Boston with the No. 57 pick in last June’s NBA draft and has spent the season with Maine in the G League. pic.twitter.com/5eMzxLS8VO

– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 15 March 2026

What’s next for the Celtics after the latest signing?

This is great news for Max Shulga signing his first non-two-way contract as he now earns a higher salary with the Celtics. This allows him to gain a roster spot because it now paves the way for another player to take the open two-way spot.

Shulga played five seasons throughout his collegiate career, representing Utah State and VCU. He enjoyed his best years in his later years, transforming into an elite sharpshooter as he helped the Rams reach the NCAA Tournament in his final season. He averaged 15 points, 5.9 rebounds and four assists on 38.7% shooting from deep in the 2024–25 NCAA season.

Boston compiled a 44–23 record on the season and finished second in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers while trailing the Detroit Pistons.

After Saturday’s win over the Washington Wizards, the Celtics will look forward to their next matchup. They will be at home when they host the Phoenix Suns on March 16 at 7:30 pm ET.

Since being selected by the Boston Celtics as the No. 30 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, Baylor Shearman has quietly established himself as a key contributor to Joe Mazzulla’s rotation. He has performed particularly well recently, posting his fourth double-double in 14 games in the Celtics’ recent 109–98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds on 6-8 overall shooting and 4-6 from beyond the arc.

However, for Shaquille O’Neal, it’s clearly not enough to know that the 25-year-old shooting guard exists.

Shaq admitted he didn’t know who Baylor Scheierman was during the Celtics-Cavs halftime highlights.

Scheuerman finished the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds for Boston. #nba

(H/T: @CelticsAdam34) pic.twitter.com/rjvhRxlsRl

– Awful Announcement (@awfulaannouncement) 9 March 2026

“I don’t even know who this kid is,” he said on ESPN, according to a post on Ax By Awful Announcing. Shake was immediately told his name by Ernie Johnson, but again received a ridiculous response.

“I’ve never met anyone named Baylor or Shearman,” he said, clearly joking. With the win, Boston improved to 43–21 and defeated Cleveland 3–0. Of course, Scheuermann’s influence extended far beyond production.

Boston’s defensive dominance in the second quarter, holding Cleveland to just 10 points on 4 of 25 shooting and 0 of 14 from three, was partially fueled by its hustle on the glass. Sheuerman is one of several Boston players who have been forced into a larger role this season following an injury to Jayson Tatum and the subsequent departure of several stars.

He started only two games last season and played a total of 31 matches, averaging 12.4 minutes per outing. This season, Scheuermann has played in 58 games with 15 starts, averaging 16.3 minutes. He has averaged 4.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, while shooting nearly 60% overall from the field and nearly 38% from beyond the arc. This is a huge improvement in all categories compared to the previous season.

In addition to his offensive contributions, Scheuermann is a busy defender who has integrated seamlessly into Mazzulla’s system. Now, with the return of Jayson Tatum, he is likely to continue to serve primarily as a bench influencer, which the 25-year-old has excelled in so far.

Cooper Flagg’s homecoming was everything people expected, even if the scoreboard didn’t go the Dallas Mavericks’ way. The Maine native and No. 1 overall pick finally made his professional debut at TD Garden on Friday night, and despite playing for the visiting team, the Boston crowd treated him like a local legend.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the Mavericks took on the Celtics. The Celtics ultimately bounced back with a 120-100 blowout, but the story belonged to the 19-year-old rookie. Cooper Flagg finished his Garden debut with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes. While he struggled with his efficiency, shooting only 7-of-23 from the floor and 0-of-4 from deep, that moment was not lost on him.

After the game, the media tried to prod the rookies into imagining a future in green. When asked if the experience of the TD Garden crowd inspired him to experience it as a home player rather than a visitor, Flagg shrugged it off with the veteran patience he has shown all season. “I love being Maverick,” Flagg said. “That’s home, and I don’t want anything else.”

Cooper Flagg was asked if the experience of playing at TD Garden met his expectations and whether he would like to experience it “with the home crowd.” #mavs: :

“I love being a vagabond. It’s home and I don’t want anything else.” pic.twitter.com/okQuCz4bRq

– Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) 7 March 2026

The Boston Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, proved why they are the class of the Eastern Conference, but Flagg showed flashes of the generational talent that could make him the top prize of the 2025 NBA Draft. He hit two shots and played high-level defense against some of the best wings in the world. It wasn’t the “W” the Mavs wanted, but for a kid from Newport, Maine, to stand out on that court and applaud was a full-circle moment.

Cooper Flag grew up cheering for the Boston Celtics, and now he’s probably filming a commercial with it The greatest player ever to represent the franchise. Chime dropped a video of Dallas Mavericks rookie and NBA icon Larry Bird preparing to film a commercial for the financial technology company.

Although the Maine native was born three years after Bird was inducted into the Hall of Fame, he must understand the importance of sharing the small screen with the two-time Finals MVP. The flag is moving fast, but an extended meeting with No. 33 is certainly a surreal experience. There is more magic to come, as the 19-year-old will compete at TD Garden for the first time on Friday night.

Larry Bird and Cooper Flagg together for their upcoming commercial

(via @jhankar)pic.twitter.com/UgezYjZZwi

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 6 March 2026

The former Duke star has been eyeing this matchup for a long time, but a left medial sprain put this true homecoming in jeopardy. He made it back just in time. After shaking off the rust in Thursday night’s 115-114 loss to the Orlando Magic — 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting with six assists, five rebounds and four blocks — Flagg is poised for a big night in Boston. Maybe Larry Bird is watching.

Mavericks fans have been fed up for the last 13 months, but the No. 1 overall pick is giving them new life. As Bird did for Celtics fans, Flagg’s arrival is a symbol of hope for Dallas sports. If he can accomplish even half of what Larry Legend accomplished, this teenager is headed for a great run.

Cooper flags regularly visit American Airlines Center. On Friday, he’s trying to do the same at “The New Garden.” The Mavs and Celtics are in action at the time of printing.

Dallas Mavericks forward Najee Marshall pays tribute to rookie teammate Cooper Flagg before the Mavericks’ matchup with the Boston Celtics on Friday night at TD Garden.

As Dallas prepares to face off against Boston in under an hour on ESPN, Marshall steps onto the court for pregame warmups wearing a custom T-shirt honoring Flagg’s New England roots. The shirt features a graphic of a pine tree as well as the phrase “In the Flag We Trust” – a nod to the state of Maine, where the flag grew up.

Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News shared an image of Marshall’s shirt on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting the moment before Flagg’s Boston homecoming.

The game marks a notable milestone in Flagg’s rookie season as the 19-year-old forward plays in front of an area crowd familiar with his rise. The Maine native has quickly emerged as a central part of the Mavericks’ future during his first NBA campaign.

Here in Boston, a Nazi marshal wears this t-shirt in honor of the Cooper Flag’s homecoming.

“In the Flag We Trust.” 🌲 pic.twitter.com/5JFXVoTjaz

– Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) 6 March 2026

Flagg returned to action Thursday night after missing nearly a month with a left foot sprain. In Dallas’ 115–114 loss to the Orlando Magic, he recorded 18 points, six assists, five rebounds, four blocks and one steal while playing 26 minutes.

Nazi Marshall honors Cooper Flagg’s Boston homecoming as Mavs face Celtics

Through 50 games this season, Flagg has averaged 20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest, while shooting 47.8% from the field and 30.1% from three-point range. His all-around production has made him one of the Mavericks’ most consistent contributors during a challenging season.

Dallas enters Friday’s matchup with a 21-41 record while battling several injuries on its roster. Despite the setbacks, the Mavericks have continued to give extended opportunities to young players like Flagg as they evaluate their long-term core.

Meanwhile, Boston has a 41-21 record and is in second place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics also welcome back star forward Jayson Tatum, who returns from an Achilles injury suffered during last year’s postseason.

Friday’s game at TD Garden represents a homecoming moment for Flagg and another opportunity for the rookie to continue the momentum in his first season.

Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown has led his team to one of the best records in the NBA this season without Jayson Tatum, which for JR Smith means this is no longer Tatum’s team. With Tatum’s potential return to the Celtics, many wonder how Boston will adjust to Jason Tatum’s midseason debut.

while brown have been leaders For the Celtics this season, that’s been their title for Jaylen for years, Smith said, according to To The Baha.

“It’s always been his team. Jaylen Brown. He’s the leader. Isn’t he? First of all, he protects everybody. It’s always been his team. It’s his team,” Smith said. “To the players, I’m sure it’s their team; to everyone else in the media on the outside, it’s Jayson Tatum’s team. That’s the way they want to show it. Internally, it’s Jaylen Brown’s team.

“Jaylen Brown is the leader of that team. 100 percent on and off the court. Fact. I guarantee you he commands more film sessions, practices than JT. He’s the leader of that team.”

“It’s always been his team. Jaylen Brown. He’s the leader. Isn’t he? … To the players, I’m pretty sure it’s his team; to everybody else in the media on the outside, it’s Jayson Tatum’s team.”

– JR Smith 🤔

(via @ToTheBaha)pic.twitter.com/mnELzcwFk9

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 4 March 2026

In Brown and Tatum’s second NBA Finals appearance in two years, Brown won the 2024 Finals MVP award after capturing his first title.

NBA insider says Jayson Tatum will need to adjust to new Celtics

NBA insider Chris Mannix believes the Celtics are Jaylen Brown’s team who will have to accommodate Jayson Tatum if he returns from his nearly season-long Achilles injury. Tatum has to do it slowly work your way back Mannix said, according to FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, linking up with the Browns and the Celtics.

“I think [Jayson] Tatum knows that by coming back he is stepping into Jaylen Brown’s team. “Brown is a top-five, top-six MVP candidate this year,” Mannix said. “He’s put this team on his back offensively.” And Tatum will have to find a way to fit in.

This is Jaylen Brown’s team now 👀

With the pending return of Jayson Tatum, @SIChrisMannix I don’t think there is a chemistry problem.

Tatum knows this is Brown’s team. pic.twitter.com/wgMkvmJHDF

– Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) 4 March 2026

In 54 games played, Brown is averaging 29 points per game, 7.1 rebounds and 5 assists per game with one steal. He is shooting 48% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range. He has been the catalyst for the Celtics’ success as they have kept themselves in the news as NBA title contenders.

The Boston Bruins are looking for some upgrades ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Boston holds the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with 71 points. However, the Bruins have several needs, such as a top-4 right-shot defenseman and options to improve their blue line and offensive depth.

Below, we’ll break down the five best trade targets for Boston ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline!

Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues

Robert Thomas would give Boston an incredible update at the center position. With prospects like Mathieu Poitras and Dean Letourneau, the St. Louis Blues will be able to get the breakthrough they are looking for with Thomas. That would be a steep price, but the Blues center would look good in Bruins colors.

Connor Garland, Vancouver Canucks

Connor Garland will give Boston more offensive depth moving forward. The Vancouver Canucks are the worst team in the NHL and are set to trade most of their roster. Attack isn’t as big a need as defence, but the Canucks forward would be a great addition moving forward.

Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues

Colton Parayko is an ideal target for the Bruins before Friday’s deadline. Boston needs a top-4 right-shot defenseman, and Parayko would be an excellent replacement for former Bruin Brandon Carlo. The St. Louis defenseman is estimated to have a lot of suitors, but the price would be reasonable.

McKenzie Weegar, Calgary Flames

McKenzie Weegar would be a great pick this season, but there are some negative factors in the future. Weegar is 32 years old and is under contract for the 2030-31 season with a $6.25 million cap hit. The Calgary Flames defenseman is good enough to anchor the Bruins’ defence, and although his play may decline in the coming years, this would be a multi-year solution.

Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues

Justin Faulk continues the trend of strong St. Louis options for Boston ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Faulk has a strong 2025-26 NHL season, providing strong offense and defense. The Blues defenseman is arguably the best option for the Bruins, and can take this team to the next level moving forward.

READ MORE: St. Louis Blues could trade Robert Thomas, 5 best landing spots including Boston Bruins

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

NBC analyst Reggie Miller is high on the Boston Celtics’ potential in the NBA playoffs. in a recent appearance dan patrick showMiller praised the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown for stepping up during Tatum’s absence and highlighted the team’s depth. He then said that the Celtics are “the scariest team in the Eastern Conference”, even with Tatum marginalized.

“The Celtics are the scariest team in the Eastern Conference, and the reason there are no expectations is because people thought it would be a gap year. Yeah. About Tatum and the way Jaylen Brown is, his name should definitely be in the MVP discussion with Cade Cunningham.”

He added, “With the Celtics, with or without Tatum coming back, the Celtics are a real threat to win the Easter Conference… They’ve been well coached by Coach Mazzulla. They’re deep. They can play a lot of ways. They can play big, small, and I think Vucevic has a pickup low. You can play it back to the basket. He can knock down threes. They play a certain way. They shoot a lot of threes. Gonna jack up. Most of those shots come from, uh, 16 feet away. Defensively, I’m just telling people they’re high on the Knicks and that’s right, and Cleveland’s going up too.

The Boston Celtics are currently in second place in the East behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. They are two games up on the third-seeded New York Knicks in the loss column. The Celtics have emerged as one of the biggest stories of the season, as many NBA fans and forecasters believed they would suffer a blowout without Tatum in the lineup.

But Jaylen Brown has stepped up. He averaged 29.2 points, 7 rebounds and 1 steal along with 4.9 assists per game. The Browns also have help from Peyton Pritchard, who is averaging 17.6 points per game, and Derrick White, who is averaging 17 points per game. Additionally, a sharpshooter like Sam Hauser has emerged as one of the best high-volume shooters in the league, as he shoots 39% from the three-point line. The Celtics also recently acquired Nikola Vucevic, who is averaging 11 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The Celtics head to Phoenix to play the Suns tonight at 9pm Eastern.

The Los Angeles Lakers decided to commemorate the extensive NBA legacy of Pat Riley by unveiling a statue of him before their game against the Boston Celtics. As part of his speech, Riley made sure to encourage the Lakers to “kick some Boston.”

However, with the game going the other direction, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had a funny reaction when he learned what Riley had actually said.

“Did he really? It’s awesome,” Mazzulla responded with a smile on his face, clearly pleased with his team’s day of work, according to a clip posted on

Joe Mazzulla was upset that he missed telling Pat Riley that he wanted to beat the Celtics:

“that’s awesome.” pic.twitter.com/hzfBgwPgBw

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 23 February 2026

According to a clip on X by Oh No He Didn’t, Riley initially said, “Time to kick some Boston ass.”

Pat Riley: “It’s time to kick some ass in Boston”

celtics vs lakers tonight hahahahapic.twitter.com/VdjsW50kbL

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 22 February 2026

Of course, it was the Celtics who did this instead of the Lakers. The 111–89 victory was defined by a two-man offensive explosion from Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard, who combined for 62 points and 16 assists.

Brown, who also earned MVP endorsement from LeBron James after his performance, returned with 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Pritchard returned with 30 points on 10-14 shooting with a total of six three-pointers. The Celtics held the Lakers to 39.1% shooting and just 30% shooting from three, despite the Lakers starting Big 3 of LeBron, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.

And while the game was largely one-sided, the outcome brought some historic positives for James. The 41-year-old became the first player in NBA history to surpass 43,000 regular season points in his 1,600th career game.

Still, Luka Doncic top-scored for the Lakers, scoring 25 points and five rebounds, while Reaves finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Despite this, the Lakers suffered from an overall poor shooting night, going just 66.6% from the free throw line, and they had only themselves to blame for the loss.

The Boston Celtics are currently preparing to begin the unofficial second half of their season, which begins on Thursday evening against the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics were represented at the NBA All-Star weekend by Jaylen Brown, who participated as part of one of the USA teams in the round robin tournament.

The Celtics have performed well beyond expectations this year, and recently, former NBA guard Lou Williams praised what Boston is able to accomplish in 2025-26 on FanDuel’s “Run It Back” show.

“I still think Boston is the most dangerous team in the East,” said Williams, formerly of Run It Back on X, on Twitter.

Co-host Chandler Parsons said, “He’s exceeded everyone’s expectations… Jaylen Brown has to be in these MVP conversations.”

In fact, most pundits expected the Celtics to be a fringe playoff team at best this year, given that the team was playing without injured superstar Jayson Tatum, and also parted ways with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis via trades over the summer that were mostly financially motivated.

However, as Parsons said, Brown is playing at a borderline MVP level for the Celtics this year, more than replicating Tatum’s production, and he’s also gotten some help from players like Derrick White and Peyton Pritchard, who have returned to form after rough starts to the year.

Hovering over all of this is the possibility of Tatum’s eventual return, which looks more than likely day-to-day at some point this season. If Tatum can look somewhat like his normal form during Boston’s upcoming playoff run, the Celtics will likely be the clear favorite to come out of the East this year.

In any case, the Celtics will next take the field against the Warriors on Thursday at 10:00 PM ET as they begin their trip to the West Coast.