The Boston Celtics went out bitterly in the Eastern Conference semifinals. They lost to the New York Knicks in six hard-fought battles, which ended their season on a very sour note. The cut came particularly close to home. That was a big blow—it came just days after star teammate Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4. In addition, Tatum ended up needing surgery on Tuesday, and even Tatum’s doctors admitted that his recovery might keep him out for all of the 2025-26 season.
The bitterest end, though, for a season of promise came in that decisive Game 6 — a crushing, 38-point loss at home. This stunning loss underscored their struggles throughout the series. It was an unusual move, too, as it was just the fourth different starting lineup for coach Joe Mazzulla in the last six games. This change really exposes the team’s lack of chemistry. The Knicks played with incredible defensive activity, holding the Celtics to just 33% shooting in the first half. Unlike in previous games, the Celtics didn’t go into this one with a large enough lead to try and defend, and ultimately cracked under New York’s constant pressure.
Kristaps Porzingis, making his NBA debut, crawled out of the bench and played 12 minutes in a forgettable debut. Even with that, he’s promised to play for Latvia in Eurobasket this August. “Finishing in May feels weird, it’s definitely not something we were prepared for,” Jaylen Brown said, capturing the sentiment of the team’s unexpected early exit.
The Celtics are now facing a record payroll of up to $500 million next season if they retain their current roster. This financial burden has only heightened the team’s uncertain fate. The uncertain long-term prognosis for Tatum looms over their plans. Brown shared his thoughts on the season’s disappointing conclusion, stating, “Things didn’t go our way this year, and it’s unfortunate. We hold our head up regardless. Losing to the Knicks feels like death. I was always taught that there’s life after death, so we’ll get ready for whatever’s next in the journey.”
After the surprise ending of this season, the Celtics are close to an ownership change. According to recent reports, investor Bill Chisholm just purchased a majority share of the franchise, giving it a valuation greater than $6 billion. With this transformational investment, new leadership of the organization follows. This new pivot opens up even more questions about the team’s intentions and plans going ahead.
The Celtics reflect on a season that ended too soon. For players and fans alike, the realistic potential of what never was still looms large. Derrick White poignantly remarked, “You’ll never get this season back. You’re never going to have the exact same team again.”
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