Can the Boston Celtics Survive Without Jayson Tatum?

The Boston Celtics were poised to dominate the 2025–26 NBA season, but everything changed with Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The superstar forward, a perennial MVP candidate and team leader, underwent surgery in May and is not expected to return anytime soon. Without him, Boston’s title hopes face their most serious test yet.

The Celtics are no longer the overwhelming favorite; now, the door is open for challengers to strike. Despite the setback, they still field a strong core, led by Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. Let’s examine the top threats to Boston’s throne and how betting markets are shifting post-Tatum.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Reigning Champions’ Quiet Confidence

The Oklahoma City Thunder remain the most formidable test for any contender, including the Boston Celtics. As reigning champions, they understand what it takes to win in June.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is performing like a top-five player, and his leadership has transformed the team’s identity. With Chet Holmgren anchoring the paint and Jalen Williams evolving into a dynamic two-way force, OKC has both the length and versatility to disrupt Boston’s flow.

What makes the Thunder intriguing is their tempo and unpredictability. They play fast, share the ball efficiently, and defend with discipline. Against the Boston Celtics, OKC’s length and switch-heavy defense could neutralize some of Boston’s perimeter advantages.

The key will be consistency. If they can maintain composure and hit open shots, Oklahoma City has the tools to make things interesting.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Defense Wins Championships

If there’s one team capable of matching the Boston Celtics in defensive tenacity, it’s the Cleveland Cavaliers. Anchored by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland thrives on rim protection and physicality. Their interior defense forces opponents into tough jumpers,  a potential equalizer against Boston’s spread offense.

Offensively, Donovan Mitchell gives the Cavs a reliable closer. The challenge for Cleveland is depth, with injuries to key players like Darius Garland and Max Strus. DeAndre Hunter is expected to fill a larger role in their absence. To beat Boston, they’ll need consistent contributions from their wings to stretch the floor and keep defenses honest.

What makes Cleveland dangerous is their pace control. They slow the game down, limit possessions, and turn matchups into grind-it-out battles. Against a high-octane team like Boston, that’s a viable formula.

If the Cavs can force the Celtics into a half-court slugfest and capitalize on turnovers, they have the defensive backbone to stand toe-to-toe with the Eastern Conference’s top dog.

Denver Nuggets: Cohesive and Hungry

The Denver Nuggets are no longer a rebuilding project; they’re a legitimate threat. Nikola Jokić is once again playing at an MVP level, dictating every possession with surgical precision.

Denver’s biggest edge is chemistry. Jamal Murray can elevate his game in big moments, which gives Denver a reliable secondary star. Aaron Gordon brings balance across the floor. This team knows how to win together. Against Boston, they can exploit mismatches in the post and use Jokić’s passing to punish aggressive defensive schemes.

The Celtics may have more depth, but the Nuggets’ cohesion makes them a legitimate threat. A potential Finals matchup between these two juggernauts would be a chess match, a battle between Boston’s defense and Denver’s orchestration.

What This Means for Bettors

Tatum’s injury has reshaped the futures landscape. According to the NBA odds on FanDuel, Boston is still a top-tier team, but no longer untouchable. Sportsbooks have adjusted the following:

• Celtics’ title odds have lengthened due to uncertainty about Tatum’s return,
• Thunder, Cavs, and Nuggets have gained ground, currently among the top 3 betting favorites,
• Value bets may lie with Eastern challengers like Cleveland or even Miami, depending on playoff matchups.

Player props become more attractive in Boston games. Expect bigger roles and lines for Jaylen Brown, Pritchard, and White.

Bettors should monitor line movement and injury updates closely; the Celtics’ pricing now depends heavily on lineup depth and opponent strength.

The Crown Is Up for Grabs

With Tatum sidelined, the Celtics’ path to the championship is no longer paved. It may even be filled with landmines. Boston still commands respect, but their margin for error is thinning.

Meanwhile, OKC’s hunger, Cleveland’s defense, and Denver’s experience each offer unique challenges that could derail the Celtics’ plans. In a league built on health, depth, and timing, the 2025–26 NBA season has become a true battleground.