Nobody Is Better At Snatching Defeat Out Of The Jaws Of Victory Like The Boston Celtics

Jesse D. Garrabrant. Getty Images.

Alright, quick check in. How's everyone doing with not letting results bother them this season?

Because make no mistake, if this were any other season and the Celts began the year losing 2 of 3 to the Sixers by a combined 3 points (with their only win being by 1 point), that would have my brain all sorts of fucked up. I don't think I'd sleep for weeks. 

But now? Definitely very annoying in the immediate aftermath, but then the context of this season enters my brain, and it's immediately whatever. Now 12 games into this thing, I can admit, it's still a challenge to deal with coming off the fact that for the last 10 years every single game the Celtics played actually mattered, but I will say it does help when it comes to stomaching whatever bullshit we saw in the final moments of yet another close game loss for the 2025-26 Boston Celtics. 

I think part of it is that around 95% of the things that have cost the Celtics games to start this season are immediately resolved once Tatum is back. I'm not even thinking about any other potential additions either. Just adding Tatum solves a lot of what we're seeing cost the Celts games. Rebounding, playmaking, scoring etc. So knowing that's on the horizon at some point helps me stay sane while I watch the Celtics continue to lose multiple games to bad teams at the buzzer, all because of simple things like defensive rebounding. 

This is certainly not a way to live long term though, in fact, it stinks. I have no idea how franchises have seasons like this every year for 10+ years. Hopefully, after we do our bid this year we can avoid this life for another 10+ years, because this shit is for the birds.

As our sample size of the season continues to grow, it continues to validate pretty much everything I expected this team to be. Competitive every night, on nights where they shoot well they can beat anyone, but ultimately they'll lose because their flaws are simply too great to overcome, especially against playoff caliber teams. It's why I had them at 35-37 wins and right around the Play In over the summer and why I've seen nothing so far this season to suggest that was wrong.

So far? The Celts are currently on a 34 win pace. They've had 7 clutch time games in 12 total (2-5). Of those 5 losses, 4 of them are to playoff teams. We've now seen the Celts lose games by 1, 2, and 2 points, all because their fatal flaws showed up at the biggest moments (OREBs). Sure, there's a world where they get a break or two and are 8-4, but that's not really how things work. 

And I hate to break it to you, but the Celts now need to go 7-4 over their final 11 games of this stretch just to be over .500 after the first 25 games of the season 

In other words, they're currently playing and producing the way many of us who saw their roster over the summer expected them to. 

So when you look at it that way, what is there to get mad about? When you look out your window and you see it's pouring rain outside, and then you go outside without an umbrella, do you get mad at the fact that you got wet? 

I'm not sure if that analogy made sense, but it did to my brain.

If I can see where the Celts are flawed and how those flaws impact winning, and then they lose games in ways that are directly related to those flaws, why would that get me upset? I'm annoyed when it happens, but…..it's not a surprise. Add in the fact that losses weirdly help you this year, and even you can find ways to cope with losing 2 out of 3 to the Sixers, this time without Embiid. 

Alright, I think we're all on the same page. Let's begin.

The Good

- I'm going to say something that you could argue is perhaps a bit aggressive, and partially me being somewhat of a prisoner of the moment, but I can't hold it in any longer. I'm going to apologize in advance if this offends. OK?

We are witnessing Jordan Walsh (21 years old) turn into a real NBA player.

No, I'm not kidding. 

Jordan Walsh got his first opportunity this season around 11 days ago in his 19 minutes in mostly blowout time against the Rockets. It didn't seem significant at the time, but in those minutes he did show flashes (10/4). What we've now come to see since that moment is not only has Walsh continued to get opportunities on a more consistent basis, he has effectively bullied his way into the rotation. I'm talking 10-15 minutes might be too light. We may be looking at a situation where 20-25 minutes, and even potentially starting at the 4 spot should be on the table.

The low sample shooting numbers are great (48/46% splits), especially when it comes to his open C&S 3s. If we're thinking of life with Jayson Tatum back into the mix, playing around him means you are able to hit your open 3s. So far, Walsh has done just that with his limited looks (2.6 3PA).

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But the reason for Walsh's ascension and why I think he's played his way into a consistent role isn't even really about his shooting. It's been everything else. His defense is legitimately impactful. He can guard up, he can guard down, and I'm only slightly joking when I say we haven't seen a Celtic own his individual matchup against Tyrese Maxey like Walsh did last night maybe ever. Watching him defend this season, I can't help but feel super impressed with his ability to not only stay in front, but he's doing it while keeping his hands high. He's showing EXTREME on ball discipline, not biting for pump fakes, and making sure he's staying grounded. His wingspan makes dribbling against him hell. Then you add in the work he's doing on the glass, and this entire stretch from Walsh has been a revelation.

I cannot stress this enough. Part of this season is about finding out which of these young and unproven players on their roster could actually be a real piece for you moving forward. That's why the results of these games don't mean shit to me. To me, it is a MUCH BIGGER DEAL that Jordan Walsh looks playable than the Celts losing a November regular season game by 2 points. 

And as I always say, perspective is important. We're talking about a 5 game stretch of HOU/WSH/ORL/ORL/PHI where Walsh has looked like a real NBA player. There's a lonnnnnnnnnggggggg way to go, but that's OK. These are the signs we needed to see, and it's impossible not to root for a 21 year old kid who put in the work, developed his game and is now being rewarded. If he turns out to be a real bench rotation piece? That is such a massive win for the next iteration of the roster, it's not even funny.

- His overall shooting numbers may not look all that great (5-15, 3-8), but I don't think that tells the whole story of Anfernee Simons' night. The first half, not so great. But if there's been one constant to Simons' Celtics career, it's that he's showing the ability to make some big time 4th quarter shots.

Simons led the Celts with 10 points on 3-4 (2-2) in the 4th quarter, which was nearly half of their total scoring output (23 points). He played 7:26 in the quarter, and when Jaylen/Derrick came in the game for him with the Celts up 92-84, they unfortunately allowed a 16-4 run before he checked back in with around 2:06 left. 

His behind-the-back turnover in the 4th wasn't great either, but I continue to be impressed with Simons' 4th quarter scoring. Especially considering the Celts really struggle in 4th quarter production.

Did you know Simons is shooting 58/66% in the 4th quarter this season? He's easily been their best 4th quarter shot maker

and I just think it's important that we be fair when talking about Simons on this team. It's a learning process, there are issues like anyone else, but 4th quarter scoring has not been one of them. 

- If there's one thing I got very wrong so far this season, it's the Celtics defense. All signs pointed to it being a disaster, and yet it's been anything but through 12 games. I thought this was going to be a bottom 3rd defense, yet Joe has them sitting at 13th overall. The Celtics are #2 in the NBA in opponent scoring. They're #4 in the NBA in opponent FG%. They lead the NBA in opponent points in the paint. 

Their issue, is of course, is rebounding. They're great at getting that initial miss, and absolutely fucking terrible at everything that comes after. But holding teams in 2025 to around 100 points? With this roster? That's impressive as hell.

When half of their losses have come in games they've allowed 105 or fewer points, I think we have to acknowledge that this team is defending their ass off. Heading into the year, I thought we were going to be looking at a top 10ish offense and a bottom 3rd defense.

So far? It's looking like the opposite. A top 10ish defense with a bottom 3rd offense. That's surprising. 

The Bad

- At some point, to win in the NBA you had to start making shots. Finishing 39/34% simply isn't going to cut it, I don't care who you're playing. 

Last night marked the 9th time in 12 games the Celts took far more 2s than 3s. They are now 3-6 in those games, with all the losses coming to playoff caliber teams. So much is always made about their 3P volume, and nobody seems to mention the approach or shooting when the Celts continue to drop games playing the way a lot of people demand they play.

Why is that you think?

Celts were just 42% on 2s and 34% on 3s in this game, yet they only took 38 in their 92 FGA. That's a 3PA rate of just 41%. Sorry, that's not a winning formula, especially for this roster. In these losses, we're seeing what relying on contested 2s and midrange FGA get you. Inconsistent offense. There's a reason teams don't really emphasize this approach, and with the Celts doubling their midrange FGA from 7 to 14 a game and sitting 2nd in the NBA in terms of that shot, is it a surprise their offense ranks 18th?

We saw multiple possessions last night where guys like Jaylen and Pritchard were passing up open 3s in order to put the ball on the floor and take contested 2s. I cannot stress how dumb that is, especially when as a team they've been shooting 36.9% from deep over their last 4 games.

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Down the stretch of the 4th quarter the Celts were up 8 points with around 6:15 to go. Below was their shot chart

In the Celtics 7 losses this seasonm just 46% of their FGA are 3s, yet to this day ALL YOU HEAR when someone talks about the Celts after losses is the 3pt shooting. I'll never understand it. 

Since that 51 3PA game against UTA, the Celts are averaging 37 3PA a game, in favor of more contested 2s and midrange. They're 2-2, with one of those wins being the Wizards, and 2 of the losses coming against playoff opponents. 

Perhaps now people can understand this has never been a playstyle issue. It's an execution issue. So far this season, the Celts have been playing exactly how all the anti-Mazzulla and anti-3PA crowd has preferred. Take more 2s than 3s, take way more midrange and contested paint shots, and you should never lose. That's what we've been told.

Now that's happening and the Celts are losing. Why? Because there are MANY FACTORS that go into winning or losing a basketball game. Not just 3PA, despite how badly people obsess over it every time they lose.

A perfect example of this is the UTA loss. Another game the Celts lost at the buzzer due to an OREB putback. All the talk after that game was about their playstyle. Not the thing that actually lost them the game. Last night, we have the same exact situation, only now the Celts lost taking sub 40 3PA and mostly 2s. Now, the other factors matter in terms of why they lost.

See how fucking insane this is? 

The Celts 3PT playstyle isn't why they are losing games. I'm sorry if you can't accept that, but if that's how you feel, then you must be consistent and say the 2pt heavy/midrange heavy playstyle is actually not how they should be playing. 

- Sam Hauser being 4 for his last 24 from deep is turning into a bit of an issue. This team just can't get out of this collective shooting slump, and it's all their great shooters. The second White and Pritchard look to be snapping out of their funk, Hauser enters his. Their roster is too thin to have main rotation players be completely ineffective at the one thing they need to be effective at, but that's where we are.

It doesn't help that Payton Pritchard also really struggled last night, not just in terms of his shooting but his overall impact. While White got going late, he still finished 7-20 (4-11). 

I get the whole sliding up into new roles thing, but we're talking about open/wide open looks. I don't care what your role is, shooters need to make open shots. Period. For a team that has no margin for error, getting nothing from their shooters is about as brutal as it gets.

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- Classic random NBA player having a career night against the Celts continues, this time Justin Edwards and his 22 points on 8-9 (5-6). Guy had made like 5 3PM all year, so naturally that makes sense.

But when you have defensive mental mistakes and let a guy get in rhythm playing in front of his home crowd, that's what happens. 

- I don't know how to feel about the gold jerseys. At times, I think they look cool. Other times, I need some green. Overall, I'm annoyed that they weren't given these during their title defense season. Better than last year's that's for sure, but that's not exactly saying much. 

The Ugly

- We may as well focus on the 4th quarter. With the Celts up 6 heading into the final frame, I think we all deep down knew things weren't going to be easy. They've been the worst 4th quarter team for a while now, and last night was no different

Just so bad. Off the top of my head, of the 12 games I'd say this was the 4th or 5th time at least that the Celts have had a lead heading into the final quarter only to still lose the game. 

The 31 points allowed were the most of any quarter. 52/62% splits? Grow up. Get a fucking stop. Offensively, the Celts went 3-11 from 2pt, and 2-8 from 2pt over the final 6 minutes. 

Then of course, we had the fuck ups.

First, Jaylen Brown. Down 100-99, you can't go 1-2 from the FT line in that spot. Just can't do it. Especially in a season you've been solid from the line (79%) and were 6-6 heading into those FTs. That has to be 2 makes. If it isn't, then you absolutely cannot make the mental mistakes he made on the final defensive possession, which ultimately lost them the game

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Bad decision to double, bad decision to just kind of stand in the paint and do nothing, bad decision to not box out Oubre. That my friends, is losing basketball. Just like how the Celts lost to the Jazz because Queta couldn't box out Nurkic and he got an OREB putback game winner, it was the same thing here. Defensive rebounding mistakes leading to losses. It was inexcusable then, and it was inexcusable from Jaylen last night. 

Thankfully, he took full ownership of his fuck up, which I appreciated

While that's nice to hear, it doesn't make what happened OK. I don't care if you're the best player on the team or the 15th guy on the roster. Those types of mental mistakes should never, ever happen, especially with the game on the line like that. That's really all there is to say. It cannot happen.

Then, there was Derrick White's final possession

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A lot of talk about Joe's play here, and I'm not sure why. It started with him getting his best player the ball, the Sixers trapped, and Jaylen found White who had an advantage against Drummond. With plenty of time, that's a matchup I want in this situation. Unfortunately, Derrick lost control of the ball (or maybe was fouled), which then led him to the rather bizarre decision to just heave it up withn plenty of time left. He had more than enough time to maybe take a dribble or two, but oh well.

Same as Jaylen, he was accountable after the game

and it's still really weird to see White have a brain fart like that as a guy who almost never makes mistakes. There was no need for him to panic, and yet he panicked. Not great.

- If there's one thing I will say I did not like about Joe in those final moments was not calling the timeout at around 3.5 seconds once the ball got poked loose. They had a timeout to burn, and I can't think of a better time to use it. Just take the timeout and give yourself a better chance at a higher quality look. I'm all for trusting your players, but there's a time and place. That felt like an opportunity to save them from themselves and give them a better chance at success in that high leverage moment.

It reminded me a little bit of the Game 2 loss vs NYK, where Tatum's initial drive to the basket was cut off and the possession was fucked. That's a spot where Joe needs to help his players and reset. He didn't, and it resulted in a very low percentage look.

So in the end, another annoying close loss to a playoff team that was highlighted by the exact problem areas we have always known existed with this team. On the plus side, we're seeing some signs from players that could prove to be valuable moving forward. What a weird season.