Following the first 10 games of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Boston Celtics find themselves in the middle of the pack. By many metrics, their start has been average. They hold the 11th-best offensive rating and 12th-best defensive rating, placing them just above the league median.
As for their overall record, the Celtics stand at 4-6 and currently occupy 11th place in the Eastern Conference. This position is just enough to distance themselves from the three East teams with only one win, but not sufficient to solidify their spot in playoff contention.
This middling performance is largely what was expected from the Celtics without star forward Jayson Tatum healthy. However, with 72 games still left to play, Boston’s season is far from defined. Before the remaining roughly 90% of the 2025-26 campaign unfolds, let’s delve into three initial overreactions to the Celtics’ mediocre start.
### Is Jaylen Brown in the Early MVP Conversation?
Although the Celtics have been statistically average so far, their star guard Jaylen Brown has been anything but. The longest-tenured Celtic has dominated opposing defenses, scoring at least 30 points in six of his 10 outings this season.
Brown is averaging a career-high 28.1 points per game, ranking as the ninth-best scorer in the league. The only players outpacing him offensively are eight others, with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo being the lone player averaging more points than Brown while maintaining higher efficiency. However, Giannis benefits from taking more high-percentage shots inside the arc and attempts fewer than two three-pointers per game.
Notably, Brown has never finished above 50% from the field in his 10-year career, but he currently boasts an impressive 53.5% field goal percentage and a respectable 36.7% from beyond the arc. The four-time All-Star is well on his way to earning a fifth All-Star nod and has led Boston in scoring in eight of the first 10 games.
This scoring surge is not merely a product of increased minutes—among the league’s top nine scorers, Brown is averaging the fewest minutes at 28.1 per contest. He has simply been incredibly efficient at the rim and more deadly from deep than usual.
If Brown can sustain this remarkable level of production while keeping the Celtics competitive in the playoff picture, he may remain in the MVP conversation or, more realistically, earn his second All-NBA Team selection.
### Celtics Should Tweak Their Aggressive Defensive Style
On the defensive end, the 2025-26 Celtics have adopted a high-energy, aggressive style. Head coach Joe Mazzulla favors applying relentless pressure and sending double teams to disrupt opposing offenses.
This aggressive approach—emphasizing forced turnovers—stems both from past success (remember how a harassing defense propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to the championship last season) and necessity. Boston lost multiple talented, switchable defenders in the offseason, requiring Mazzulla and his staff to adapt defensively.
While the Celtics have indeed succeeded in forcing turnovers—their opponents average the fifth-most turnovers per game in the league—this new defensive strategy still has room for refinement.
Naturally, playing more aggressively on the ball results in more fouls. The Celtics are aware of this and are willing to accept some fouling depending on the situation. However, this has not prevented Boston from allowing the fourth-most free throw attempts per game.
A clear example occurred recently when the Celtics fell to the Orlando Magic 123-110. Boston won the turnover battle and recorded one more steal than Orlando, yet committed 27 fouls (compared to 18 by the Magic), allowing a whopping 31 free throws.
While free throws were not the sole factor in the double-digit loss, it is not the first time the Celtics have been significantly outscored at the charity stripe.
Boston’s underwhelming height and respectable speed make its hyperactivity on defense reasonable, but the team needs to adjust its approach so that calculated risks result more frequently than untimely fouls. Otherwise, the Celtics will continue to struggle at the line.
### This Isn’t the Peak of the 2025-26 Celtics
New England sports fans expect greatness, and the Celtics have yet to provide it this season. However, that doesn’t mean this team isn’t capable of more.
Overcoming Tatum’s absence won’t be easy. Still, Jaylen Brown has done everything in his power to match his fellow star’s scoring prowess, all while playing through hamstring tightness since opening night.
Could Brown take another leap once he’s feeling healthier? His supporting cast should improve at the very least.
Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard and 2024 NBA champion Derrick White were expected to reliably back up Brown on offense this season. That hasn’t really been the case so far, with Pritchard shooting under 30% from beyond the arc and White enduring his worst slump as a Celtic.
Given everything Pritchard and White have contributed to Boston in recent years, both should bounce back from their early struggles. Pritchard is already starting to regain his 3-point stroke, and White—who has never shot below 40% from the field in his 10-year career—should improve upon his current 33.3% shooting percentage.
If Pritchard and White’s offensive woes prove to be outliers and the Celtics can maintain health, there is reason to believe they’ll climb above .500 rather than hover around it.
### Looking Ahead
Boston’s schedule to begin the season was challenging, featuring games against expected playoff teams such as the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic.
An easier upcoming schedule does not guarantee success, however. Making the playoffs is no longer a given for the Celtics, and embarking on a deep postseason run feels unlikely without Tatum.
How far the Celtics can go remains to be seen. Yet, regardless of expectations, one thing is clear: they are determined to compete and make the most out of a challenging season.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/3-overreactions-celtics-middling-start-2025-26-season
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