Overview
- Boston has won 10 of its last 12 to climb to third in the East, a rise aided by underperforming conference rivals, according to the Globe.
- Coach Joe Mazzulla leaned into a small-ball second unit and elevated Jordan Walsh to the starting lineup, tightening spacing and enabling an 11-deep rotation.
- Jaylen Brown is averaging nearly 31 points on 48% shooting during the run, while Derrick White (20.0 ppg) and Payton Pritchard (19.8 ppg, including 42 at Cleveland) have rebounded from slow starts.
- Over the 12-game stretch, the Celtics rank second in the NBA by record behind Oklahoma City and sit third in scoring, third in field goal percentage, second in three-point percentage, and first in fewest turnovers, with top-5 defensive marks as well.
- Jayson Tatum remains out following his May 12 Achilles tear; his “Soon” Instagram post spurred chatter, but ESPN-cited anonymous coaches and executives advised against an early playoff return, and Boston’s plan is to wait until he is 100%.