Will Celtics actually miss playoffs? This overreaction is premature

Then there’s the bench, often the source of midseason complaints for this franchise. But in recent games, the second unit has started to mesh. Payton Pritchard has finally cemented his place in the first team, Sam Hauser continues to space the floor effectively, and big man Neemias Queta has shown flashes as a serviceable rotational defender.

Defensively, the Celtics are trending back toward elite form. They’ve held opponents under 110 points in each of its three wins and have re-established the team-first communication that made them terrifying during their championship run. Even without Tatum, the Celtics look organized and composed, forcing teams into bad shots and controlling the glass.

Why the Celtics aren’t going anywhere

Let’s be clear, this isn’t a rebuilding roster. This is a team that knows how to win in April and May, and that counts for more than early-season hiccups in October.

Tatum’s injury undoubtedly disrupted their rhythm, but once he returns, Boston immediately regains an MVP-caliber scorer who can carry them through offensive droughts. His absence has also allowed other stars to expand their game, particularly Brown, who looks more self-assured in late-game situations. When Tatum and Brown share the floor again, the offensive balance will return naturally.

There’s also the matter of pedigree. Championship teams often stumble out of the gate, just ask the 2018 Warriors or the 2014 Spurs. Early-season complacency, rotation experimentation, and minor injuries all contribute to slow starts. What separates elite teams is their ability to correct course before it’s too late. The Celtics have already shown that adjustment capability.

And when you look around the Eastern Conference, the idea that Boston would somehow fall out of the top eight becomes even more absurd. The Bucks and 76ers are strong, sure. But beyond that? The Hornets, Hawks, and Magic are still inconsistent, and Miami looks less formidable than in recent years. The Celtics, even at half-strength, are a playoff lock.

The real question isn’t if they’ll make the playoffs, it’s whether they can return to championship form once Tatum is fully healthy.

A wake-up call, not a warning sign

If anything, this slow start might be the best thing that could’ve happened to Boston. It reminded them that success in the NBA isn’t a carryover from the previous season’s trophy, it’s something you earn again every night.

This isn’t a group in crisis. It’s a championship core learning how to handle early adversity. By the time April rolls around, nobody will remember their 1-3 start. They’ll remember the team that found its rhythm, fought through injuries, and played its best basketball when it mattered most.

So no, the Celtics aren’t missing the playoffs. They’re reloading. They’re getting healthy. And when Jayson Tatum returns, Boston will once again be one of the most dangerous teams in basketball, the kind of team no one wants to face in a seven-game series.

Sometimes, a little early-season chaos is exactly what a champion needs to wake up. The Celtics just hit the snooze button. Now, they’re ready to get back to work.