It is mid-January 2026, and if you looked at the standings without checking the injury report, you'd think everything in Boston was business as usual. The Celtics are sitting at 25-15, duking it out for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. But there’s a massive, $54 million-shaped hole in the middle of the floor. Jayson Tatum hasn’t played a single second this season. That right Achilles surgery from last May has basically turned the Boston Celtics depth chart into a living laboratory for Joe Mazzulla.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild. Most teams lose a perennial MVP candidate and fall off a cliff. Instead, Brad Stevens and the front office have built a roster that's somehow leading the league in defensive efficiency while starting a center who was a backup on a two-way contract not long ago.
The Current Hierarchy: Who’s Actually Starting?
With Tatum out until at least late March, the rotation has solidified into something very specific. You’ve got Payton Pritchard and Derrick White in the backcourt, Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser on the wings, and Neemias Queta holding down the middle.
It’s a weird mix.
Pritchard is finally getting the "starting point guard" minutes he’s been shouting for since he was a rookie. He’s putting up roughly 17 points and 5 assists a night. Derrick White is doing... well, Derrick White things. He leads the team in blocks (1.5 per game!) despite being a guard. That’s just absurd.
Then you have Jaylen Brown. He’s essentially the sun that the rest of this system orbits around right now. Averaging nearly 30 points a game, he’s carrying a usage rate that would make prime Kobe blush. But he has to. Without Tatum, the Celtics’ offensive rating drops significantly when Brown sits.
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The Breakdown of the Primary Rotation
The minutes are being distributed in a way that feels very "Mazzulla-ball." Lots of threes, lots of spacing, and a heavy reliance on the bench to stay afloat.
The Starters
Payton Pritchard (PG)
Derrick White (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SF)
Sam Hauser (PF)
Neemias Queta (C)
The Immediate Bench
Anfernee Simons (G)
Jordan Walsh (F)
Luka Garza (C)
Josh Minott (F) — Currently dealing with an ankle issue
Deep Reserves & Two-Ways
Hugo Gonzalez (F)
Baylor Scheierman (G)
Xavier Tillman (C)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Amari Williams (C)
The Neemias Queta Factor
Let’s talk about the biggest surprise on the Boston Celtics depth chart. Nobody expected Neemias Queta to be the starting center for a contender in 2026. After Al Horford left in free agency and the team moved on from the Kristaps Porzingis era, there was a massive void in the paint.
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Queta has filled it by being a relentless glass-cleaner. He’s averaging over 8 rebounds a game in just about 25 minutes. He isn't a floor-spacer like Porzingis was, which has forced the Celtics to tweak their offense. They run way more pick-and-roll now, using Queta as a vertical threat while Hauser and White wait on the wings.
Where the Bench Gets Interesting
The Celtics traded for Anfernee Simons to be a spark plug, and he’s basically the "Sixth Man of the Year" frontrunner. He’s giving them 14 points a game off the bench, providing that secondary shot-creation they desperately need when Brown takes a breather.
However, the depth is being tested right now. Josh Minott, who has been a defensive revelation at the four, is currently day-to-day with a left ankle injury. When he’s out, you see more of Jordan Walsh and even the rookie Hugo Gonzalez. Walsh has been surprisingly disciplined. He isn't just a "vibes" guy anymore; he's a legitimate 3-and-D wing who can switch onto anyone from 1 to 4.
The Recent Moves
Brad Stevens hasn't been sitting on his hands. Since the season started, there’s been a revolving door at the end of the bench.
- Two-Way Contracts: Amari Williams, Max Shulga, and Ron Harper Jr. are the current holders.
- The Boucher Signing: Bringing in Chris Boucher in August was a savvy veteran move. He doesn't play every night, but in games where Queta gets into foul trouble (which happens a lot), Boucher’s length is a lifesaver.
- Waived Players: The team recently cut ties with Wendell Moore Jr. and Jalen Bridges to keep the roster flexible for the buyout market.
Addressing the "Tatum-Less" Misconception
The biggest misconception about this team is that they are just "waiting" for Tatum. If you watch them play, they aren't playing like a team in a holding pattern. They have the second-best net rating in the NBA.
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They’ve leaned into a defensive identity that relies on Derrick White and Jaylen Brown being absolute pests on the perimeter. Because they don't have a superstar wing to bail them out of bad possessions, the ball movement has actually improved. The Celtics are 14th in scoring but 2nd in defensive points allowed. That is a complete 180 from the high-flying offenses of the previous few years.
Managing the Rotation Into the Spring
Joe Mazzulla recently mentioned in a presser that he doesn't really believe in a "fixed" rotation. He likes the idea of "fresh guys" over "set minutes." That’s why you’ll see Baylor Scheierman play 15 minutes one night and zero the next.
The goal is clearly to keep Jaylen Brown under 35 minutes a game so he doesn't burn out before the playoffs. With the way the Boston Celtics depth chart is currently constructed, they have just enough shooting and rim protection to stay afloat.
What to Watch For Next
If you're following the C's, keep an eye on the January 21st matchup against Indiana. It’s a home game, and with the Pacers also dealing with massive injuries (Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season), it will be a pure "depth vs. depth" battle.
Also, watch the injury reports for Josh Minott. If his ankle keeps him out for an extended period, expect the Celtics to potentially look for a cheap 10-day contract for a veteran wing. They are a little thin at the power forward spot, especially with Sam Hauser already playing heavy starter minutes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor Queta’s Foul Rate: The Celtics' defense lives and dies by his presence. When he sits, the rim protection drops off a cliff.
- Simons as a Trade Asset? Keep an ear out for rumors. Simons is on an expiring deal ($27M), and if Stevens thinks he can flip him for a more versatile big before the deadline, he might pull the trigger.
- Tatum’s Ramp-Up: Late February is the target for Tatum to start 5-on-5 drills. The seeding battle will get intense right as he returns.
The Celtics have proven they aren't a one-man show. They've built a system that survives on grit, a portuguese center with a motor that won't quit, and the best defensive backcourt in the league.