2026 Celtics Playoff Discussion

[BitterJim]

Posted it in the NBA Season thread as well, but Celtics open up Game 1 next Sunday at 1 PM

Kind of surprised the C's get an ABC primetime game to start

Apparently, there is a Florence & the Machine show at the Garden Sunday night. Hence, the early start.

Nope, the concert got moved to Monday (which really messes with my plans...)

Setting up the stage and everything in a couple of hours after the game would be a pretty big ask for the TD Garden crew

[Donoghus]

Posted it in the NBA Season thread as well, but Celtics open up Game 1 next Sunday at 1 PM

Kind of surprised the C's get an ABC primetime game to start

Apparently, there is a Florence & the Machine show at the Garden Sunday night. Hence, the early start.

Nope, the concert got moved to Monday (which really messes with my plans...)

Setting up the stage and everything in a couple of hours after the game would be a pretty big ask for the TD Garden crew

Gotcha. Will say I saw her years ago at Lolla and it was an incredible show.

[Neurotic Guy]

Not sure where to post this question, but who gets your vote for the biggest surprise this year:
Queta
Garza
Shiereman
Walsh
Hugo
JB
JT

Queta. He turned into a legitimate starting caliber center. I always liked him, but thought he?d be more of a backup. Then I?d probably go with JB. Turned into a top 10 player in the NBA.

I noticed you didn?t list Joe as an option. 

I have a hard time rating Joe, but definitely should be on the list.

I think I?d go:
1. JB. Loved him before, but never thought we?d be talking 1st team all-NBA and top 5 MVP. 
2. Baylor - came out of nowhere to look like a legit playoff rotation guy. Making contributions in all phases.
3. Queta - he showed something last year and in the off-season. Didn?t think he?d be this good and continuing to get better.
4. JT - hoped he?d be back in time. Hoped he?d be some semblance of who he was. But didn?t really think it would happen.
5. Walsh - from nowhere to contributor almost every time he takes the court. I think we see him in the playoffs which would have seemed extremely unlikely back in preseason.
6. Garza - another very low expectation guy who played some significant minutes for a stretch and proved to have solid bench value. 
7. Hugo - he never looked bad.  Seemed from the moment he got here he looked like a player.  Probably won?t see him unless way down or way up in the playoffs but he?s a keeper - I hope.

[SHAQATTACK]

Team seems locked and loaded to me .  Everyone looks happy and energetic.

[Donoghus]

Team seems locked and loaded to me .  Everyone looks happy and energetic.

Agreed.  Feel like they're in a really good place heading into the playoffs.  Got a good feeling here. 

[Phantom255x]

Personally, the only teams who I think can beat Boston in a 7-game series are Denver and OKC. I think even if they play the Spurs, the Spurs would be a bit inexperienced in that spot and the C's have the advantage there even though SAS would have HCA.

I don't think anyone in the East will beat them this year assuming health. Now obviously god forbid if someone or multiple guys go down with catastrophic/long term injuries that could change but otherwise, like @Donoghus said they seem to be in a really good place heading in health-wise and also chemistry (the rust is clearly off of Tatum too). I don't think anyone is suffering some mystery illness (Porzingis) or dealing with meniscus/hamstring/other issues (Jrue, Jaylen, Hauser, etc.)

I'll make my predictions after the play-in is sorted out. But yeah, assuming health I only fear two teams and both of them are in the West.