As we approach the start of the new NBA season, both the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers find themselves in uncomfortable situations. Both squads still licking their wounds from the lack of their star player. The Celtics, under the leadership of Joe Mazzulla, face uncertainty as Jayson Tatum’s availability remains in question following a torn Achilles. Concurrently, the Pacers must adapt to life without Tyrese Haliburton, who is sidelined for the entire season due to a significant injury.
The Boston Celtics head coach had a road to his first head coaching gig that was uniquely unexpected. Despite this unusual arrival in the coaching ranks, Mazzulla minimizes the difference, insisting that those titles aren’t needed. His coaching philosophy has been shaped, most importantly, by the close study of roster construction these last three years. Mazzulla prides himself on the development of young players within the organization, which he believes will be critical as the team faces the upcoming season.
The Pacers отворите their doors – they were a very veteran team with to three All-Stars / four or five All-Stars in the east. With Haliburton recovering from a torn Achilles that he suffered during the postseason, the effect of his absence is obviously felt. As he navigates his recovery—walking without a brace or crutches and even driving a car again—Haliburton’s injury has undeniably altered the trajectory of the Eastern Conference for the 2025-26 season.
Mazzulla’s Celtics made waves and headlines across the country this season for their tactical focus on the three-point shot. The dogged focus on upping attempts from long range has been an unequivocal trademark of his coaching career. “People are going to say the target is on our back, but I hope it’s right on our forehead between our eyes,” Mazzulla expressed, highlighting the expectations that accompany his team’s renewed focus.
As Mazzulla and his very new team prepare to face a daunting slate of opponents, they’re determined to fight at the highest level. The Celtics’ management, including President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, emphasizes a forward-looking mindset. “That’s not going to be part of the lexicon on rebuilding in our building, and that’s the way we’re going to focus moving forward,” Stevens stated.
Meanwhile, as the Pacers adjust to their new reality, they look to Bennedict Mathurin to fill a more prominent role in the starting lineup. New Head Coach Rick Carlisle knows the tide is turning on his squad. He reinforces the need to be physically strong and adaptable. “When you disrupt the industry the way we did, it’s going to disrupt back,” Carlisle noted. He further elaborated on the necessity for his team to raise their game: “More teams are going to be more physical and so we’ve got to be ready to bring it up another notch.”
How the Pacers compensate for Haliburton’s absence will be as good a test as any on their depth and adaptability. Aaron Nesmith, a key figure in their rotation, highlighted that “it was not here one day, up here the next,” indicating the unpredictable nature of their circumstances. His teammate echoed similar sentiments, asserting that “it doesn’t really matter what people believe or what they say.”
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