Derrick White
April 2026
Derrick White has been named the 2025-26 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner, taking the Joe Dumars Trophy and giving Boston back-to-back winners after Jrue Holiday last season. The award is decided after each team nominates one player, league executives pick six finalists, and current NBA players vote on the winner. White finished ahead of T.J. McConnell and Harrison Barnes.
Brad Stevens
April 2026
Brad Stevens says he will not place a ceiling on the Celtics as Boston closes in on the No. 2 seed in the East. Despite preseason doubts after Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury and major departures, the team has remained a genuine championship threat. Stevens credited Jaylen Brown’s career-best season, Tatum’s strong return, and Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff for the Celtics’ rise. He also pointed to major development from role players like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman in sustaining Boston’s push.
Jayson Tatum
April 2026
Jayson Tatum’s comeback has become one of the NBA’s biggest late-season storylines, with Dominique Wilkins publicly backing him as he works back toward full force. The Celtics star is already showing flashes of top form, raising belief that Boston could still peak at the right time. Tatum recently said he feels like himself again after a season-high scoring night, while Boston have won regularly since his return. Wilkins, one of the most famous successful returnees from an Achilles tear, said he is one of Tatum’s biggest supporters as the forward rebuilds rhythm and confidence.
Jayson Tatum
March 2026
Jayson Tatum said it would not be crazy to say he feels back after delivering 32 points in Boston’s win over Charlotte. The outing was his best since returning from an Achilles injury and included another milestone as he reached 14,000 career points. Tatum scored efficiently, hit five threes and said he felt more decisive and explosive than in his previous game. Boston improved to 9-2 since his return, while the scoring landmark underlined how quickly he has resumed elite production after a demanding rehabilitation.
Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics
March 2026
The Lakers and Celtics have built similar records through very different profiles, with Boston dominating on overall point differential and Los Angeles excelling in clutch situations. The contrast has sharpened debate over whether late-game execution or broader control is the stronger indicator for playoff success. NBA.com noted that Boston entered at 46-23 with a plus-8.1 net rating, while the Lakers were 44-25 with a far smaller plus-1.2 mark but the league’s best clutch record at 20-6. The split suggests the Celtics have been more convincing overall, while the Lakers have repeatedly found ways to close tight games.
Jayson Tatum
March 2026
Tatum scored 20 and hit a key late three as Boston won 109-98, continuing his controlled minutes ramp-up after an Achilles rupture. After an emotional home return, he said the road routine felt more “normal,” played 27 minutes again, struggled through the middle quarters, then closed strong in the fourth with his minutes managed for precaution.
Nikola Vučević
March 2026
Vučević left after 2 minutes and was ruled out with a right ring finger fracture, reportedly needing a procedure and about four weeks out. Boston issued an in-game “OUT” update; the report says surgery/procedure will sideline him roughly a month.
Jayson Tatum
March 2026
Tatum is expected to be available to make his first appearance of the 2025-26 season, having recovered from the Achilles injury suffered in last year’s playoffs. He was upgraded to questionable, has accelerated through rehab including G League practice work, and Boston intends to play him only once fully cleared physically and mentally.
Kristaps Porzingis
February 2026
Golden State expect Kristaps Porzingis to debut against Boston, but Stephen Curry may miss additional time after being unable to take part in a live scrimmage due to a knee issue, with another MRI possible. Kerr said Curry was “not where he needed to be” and the team would reassess after more treatment, potentially consulting Dr. Rick Celebrini and considering additional imaging. Porzingis, acquired at the deadline in a deal involving Kuminga, has managed illness and Achilles tendonitis and is averaging 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17 games.
