Overview
- The Celtics opened the season 10-2 and climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference after a four-game road trip that included a charged win over the 76ers and a 22-point comeback against the Raptors.
- Boston traded Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George and future first-round picks, and George has produced immediately, including a 36-point performance in the emotionally charged game against his former division rival.
- Coach Joe Mazzulla has leaned on deep rotations, with 11 different starters used so far and reserve players providing the fifth-most bench scoring in the league.
- Boston’s second unit leads all reserves in net rating early in the season, a metric that, combined with clutch late-game play, helped the team erase large deficits and close tight games.
- Analysts call the start encouraging but caution it is a small sample; sustaining health for Jayson Tatum and consistency from George and the bench will determine whether this early momentum translates into a true title run.