Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Celtics are starting to pick up steam

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Feb 24, 2025 6:11 PM ET

After a turbulent six-week period between December and January, the Boston Celtics have gotten their season back on track. Joe Mazzulla's team is 9-1 over its last 10 games and is riding a five-game win streak.

Boston's defense has rediscovered its versatility and competitive edge. Jayson Tatum has stepped back into his lead role, and Jaylen Brown is once again playing with a high degree of force as the primary "play finisher."

What should scare other teams around the NBA is that Jrue Holiday is still dealing with a shoulder injury and Sam Hauser is working his way back to full fitness after dealing with back spasms all season. That means there's still another level (or two) that Mazzulla's team can get to as we continue to approach the playoffs and the team gets healthy.

The Celtics are 9-1 over their last 10 games.

They're on a 5-game win streak.

Scary part is, they still have another level, or two, that they can reach if needed. pic.twitter.com/yvFq4QSm7z
— Adam Taylor (@AdamTaylorNBA) February 24, 2025

Despite its midseason hiccup, Boston still boasts a top-five defense, top-three offense and top-three Net Rating. It's one of three teams to hit the 40-20 (40 wins before 20 losses) mark this season, thus proving its credentials as a genuine contender.

It's also worth noting that both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder — Boston's biggest postseason threats — have inexperienced rosters. Most champions' paths to a banner started with a deep postseason loss. The Celtics have the experience advantage and are picking up steam at the perfect time.

Mazzulla's team knows what it takes to win at the highest level. It's dealt with every opponent's best shot this season, so it's battle-tested.

Winning a championship is never guaranteed. Anything can happen over a seven-game series. However, with Boston's elite talent, depth and experience, it should remain the favorite to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

The fact the Celtics are trending toward peak-level production as we edge closer to the playoffs is another indicator that they mean business.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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