You think you know this team. You see the green jerseys, you see the "Boston" across the chest, and you figure it’s the same powerhouse that dominated the early 2020s. But honestly? If you haven’t checked a box score in the last few months, you’d barely recognize the players on the Celtics right now.
The 2025-2026 season has been a total fever dream.
Usually, the conversation starts and ends with Jayson Tatum. Except, it hasn't. Tatum has been a ghost for most of this season, sidelined by a brutal Achilles injury suffered back in May 2025. It changed everything. It forced a "retooling" year that saw cornerstones like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday shipped out to Atlanta and Portland.
So, who is actually left? Who are these guys leading the Atlantic Division charge while the franchise superstar watches from the bench?
The Jaylen Brown Takeover (Is He Actually the 1A?)
For years, we debated it. Is it Tatum’s team? Is it a partnership? Right now, it’s Jaylen Brown’s world. He’s been playing like a man possessed, averaging a career-high 29.5 points per game.
It’s not just the scoring. It’s the way he’s doing it. Brown is currently leading the league in mid-range attempts, hitting them at a clip near 50%. It’s basically Kevin Durant territory. He recently went on a tear on Twitch, claiming, "Ain't nobody doing it better than me right now." And you know what? He’s kinda right.
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Without Tatum’s gravity, Brown has evolved into a high-usage playmaker. He’s the undisputed engine. But this isn't just a one-man show.
The New Blood: Anfernee Simons
When the Celtics moved Jrue Holiday, they brought in Anfernee Simons. It was a polarizing move. You lose the defensive grit of Holiday and gain a 26-year-old flamethrower. Simons is providing about 13.5 points a night, but his real value is the secondary creation. He takes the pressure off Brown.
He’s still finding his rhythm in Joe Mazzulla’s system, but the offensive ceiling is arguably higher than it was with the old guard.
The Derrick White Leadership Era
If Jaylen Brown is the engine, Derrick White is the soul.
Most people still view White as a "glue guy." That’s a mistake. With the roster turnover, White has stepped into a massive leadership role, logging nearly 35 minutes a game—the highest on the team. He’s putting up 18.6 points and leading the backcourt in blocks (1.6 per game).
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The stats are great, sure. But look at the advanced metrics. His "CraftedDPM" (a defensive impact metric) is still in the 88th percentile. He’s essentially playing the role of a star guard while maintaining the defensive intensity of a specialist.
The Bench Mob: Pritchard and Hauser
Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are no longer just "rotation pieces." They are the survival kit for this roster.
- Payton Pritchard: He’s averaging 17.0 points and 5.3 assists. He isn't just a backup anymore; he’s a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate who could start for half the teams in the league.
- Sam Hauser: The sniper. He’s taking over at the four spot more often now. While his shooting percentages took a dip early in the year, he recently exploded for a 70% shooting night against the Raptors.
What Happened to the Bigs?
The frontcourt is where things get weird. With Porzingis in Atlanta and Al Horford no longer the focal point, the Celtics have leaned heavily on Neemias Queta.
Queta has been a revelation. He’s averaging a double-double (10.1 points, 8.2 rebounds) and shooting a ridiculous 65.6% from the floor. He’s raw, he’s energetic, and he’s exactly what a "slow brand" of basketball needs to stay afloat. Then you’ve got Luka Garza coming off the bench, shooting over 50% from three in limited minutes. It’s a scrappy, mismatched frontcourt that somehow works.
The Looming Shadow: Jayson Tatum’s Return
Everything mentioned above comes with a giant asterisk. Tatum is expected to return around March 2026.
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The big question isn't whether he’ll be good—he’s Jayson Tatum—but how he fits into this new hierarchy. Jaylen Brown has established a rhythm that depends on high usage. Derrick White has found his voice as a leader. Anfernee Simons needs his touches.
Mazzulla has a "good" problem, but it’s still a problem. Does Tatum become a knockdown decoy while he works his way back? Or do the Celtics immediately revert to "Tatum-ball," potentially cooling off the hottest version of Jaylen Brown we’ve ever seen?
The Current Reality of the Roster
| Player | Role | Current PPG | Impact Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | Primary Option | 29.5 | Playing at an MVP level in Tatum's absence. |
| Derrick White | Defensive Anchor | 18.6 | Leading the team in minutes and blocks. |
| Anfernee Simons | Scoring Guard | 13.5 | New acquisition; key floor spacer. |
| Payton Pritchard | Energy/Playmaking | 17.0 | Career highs across the board. |
| Neemias Queta | Starting Center | 10.1 | Massive leap in rebounding and interior defense. |
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're watching the players on the Celtics this month, keep an eye on these specific trends:
- Watch the Mid-Range: If Jaylen Brown’s mid-range efficiency stays above 48%, the Celtics can beat anyone, even without Tatum. It breaks modern analytics, but it works.
- Monitor the Queta/Garza Minutes: The Celtics are thin at center. If Queta gets into foul trouble, the interior defense collapses. This is their biggest vulnerability.
- Simons' Integration: Check if Anfernee Simons starts closing games over Pritchard. Right now, Mazzulla is playing the hot hand, but Simons is the long-term investment.
- The March Countdown: Start looking for Tatum’s practice footage. The transition period in late March will determine if this team is a true title contender or just a regular-season success story.
The Celtics have managed to stay in the top three of the East despite losing three starters from their championship-caliber core. It’s a testament to the depth Brad Stevens built, but the real test is only a few weeks away.
Next Steps:
To stay ahead of the curve, track the team's defensive rating during the upcoming West Coast road trip. This will be the truest test for the "White-Brown" defensive duo before the All-Star break. Keep an eye on Neemias Queta's rebounding numbers against elite bigs like Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid; his ability to hold the paint will dictate whether the Celtics need to be aggressive at the trade deadline.