Through 26 games of the NBA season, the Boston Celtics have been better than expected. After losing multiple starters and key rotational players, many expected the Celtics to be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. That hasn't been the case, though, with Boston currently 15-11 on the season, good for fourth place.
While it is still early in the season, Boston has enjoyed positive moments with players improving their play from the 2024-25 campaign. Three players in particular have impressed to begin the season.
1. Jaylen Brown, G
Coming into the season, Jaylen Brown was expected to take on a much bigger role for the Celtics, given Jayson Tatum's injury. Brown has been viewed as a number two guy for most of his career and had the chance to prove the people wrong. Early into the year, he's proven the doubters wrong.
Entering his tenth season in the league, Brown is averaging career highs in multiple categories, including field goal percentage (50%), free throw percentage (76.9%), assists (4.9), and points (29.3). With his improved play, Brown earned Player of the Week honors for his efforts spanning from Dec 1-7. Celtic fans should be thankful that Brown still plays for Boston.
2. Neemias Queta, C
After trading Kristaps Porzingis and losing Luke Kornet and Al Horford in free agency, the Celtics' center position was looking thin. One returning player was Neemias Queta, who had shown flashes but hadn't seen a consistent rotational role. Before the season began, Queta played for Portugal in the EuroBasket and was a breakout performer, raising expectations for his play when the NBA season rolled around.
So far, Queta has looked immensely better than he did in prior years, improving his per-game averages in rebounds (8.2) and points (9.9). Queta's impact is more than just his averages, as for the season, the Celtics have a defensive rating of 105 with the big man on the floor. As a team, the Celtics have a defensive rating of 115.1. This only proves just how much better the defense is with Queta on the floor than when he isn't. Given his play this year, Queta should be in the Celtics' plans for the future.
3. Jordan Walsh, F
Heading into the season, Jordan Walsh had yet to receive a significant role for the Celtics, only averaging 9.2 and 7.8 minutes per game in his first two seasons. If he played, the game was either a blowout or a majority of the starters were out for the game. In his third season, however, he has blossomed into the team's top defensive wing.
At the beginning of the season, Walsh didn't see much time in the first three games, but has slowly earned more playing time as the season progressed, averaging 21.3 minutes per game. Walsh eventually earned a spot in the starting lineup and has yet to give it up. While his offense has improved, he's made his mark this season on the defensive side of the ball.
Most nights, Walsh takes on various defensive assignments, being able to guard the top guard or wing on any team. What made Walsh an interesting draft prospect was his defense, and he is showing just how skilled a defender he is.