The Boston Celtics are living through one of the most consequential stretches of the modern franchise timeline. Jayson Tatum’s right Achilles repair surgery in May 2025 removed an MVP-caliber cornerstone from the lineup, forcing the organization to redefine leadership, offensive hierarchy, and long-term planning. Rather than retreating from contention, Boston recalibrated. What has unfolded through early 2026 is not a temporary survival act, but the emergence of a fully realized Jaylen Brown–led identity that has kept the Celtics near the top of the Eastern Conference while reshaping how championship viability is measured in the absence of a superstar.
The Jaylen Brown Era: Carrying the Celtics During Tatum’s Absence
