Jaylen Brown says why Boston Celtics’ season is the same for him without Jayson Tatum

Brown is focused on helping the Celtics succeed as much as possible

The Celtics entered the 2025-26 season with little to no expectations because of Tatum’s absence. However, Brown thought differently, wanting to play and keep leading the Celtics to as many victories as he could.

Are the Boston Celtics still a dangerous threat in the East without Jayson Tatum?

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The season is still quite fresh, but the Celtics are showing solid potential as December rolls on. Brown is leading the Celtics as the superstar, averaging 29 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He is posting All-NBA numbers, which could be a reality if Boston continues to thrive as a Playoff contender.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla is doing a fantastic job of maximizing all the players on the roster. Brown is a star player and former Finals MVP, but the rest of the team is also thriving in the system.

Lesser-known players like Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta have stood out and carved long-term roles in Boston with their performances, including the win over the Lakers.

“I think the expectation level has always been the same, in my brain. Just come out, compete, and maximize our potential, and kind of go from there.

“Don’t focus on like, the end result. Focus on what you control,” Brown said to the media after the win over the Lakers.

The window is open for a Tatum return

Tatum is doing well in his recovery from the disastrous Achilles injury in the 2025 Playoffs. That is a good sign because he is on track to return in 2026. If the Celtics can keep playing at this level, Tatum could make his return and help them in the postseason.

If Tatum returns for a postseason push, that could propel the Celtics into title contention. Every NBA fan knows that Tatum can raise Boston’s ceiling and make the Celtics a championship contender in the East again.

What moves do the Boston Celtics need to make to compete for the title again?

What would you do if you were in charge of the Boston Celtics?

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Most people have the New York Knicks as the favorite to win the East, but the start to the 2025-26 season has shown that other top teams are also contenders. The Detroit Pistons and the Toronto Raptors have been standouts, but a healthy Celtics should not be counted out.

Of course, the smart decision would be for Tatum to keep recovering until the start of the 2026-27 season. However, Boston can be the surprise package in the 2026 Playoffs. It will be up to Tatum and the Celtics’ front office to decide the course of action, but it will be interesting if they do commit to a quicker Tatum return.