Those decisions, coupled with some less-than-inspiring replacements, have many believing that Boston will struggle to remain competitive throughout the 2025-26 season. So much so that ESPN Bet has placed the Over/Under on Boston's record at 43.5 games, making them marginally better than a .500 team.

Nearly three months removed from a season-ending Achilles tear during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is beginning his road to recovery and no longer wearing a boot on his surgically repaired right ankle.