The Boston Celtics have quickly become one of the league's most exciting stories of the 2025-26 season. Without Jayson Tatum and the bulk of its championship pieces from a couple of years ago, many fans expected the Celtics to have a rebuilding year. Instead, Jaylen Brown has ascended to a new level, and head coach Joe Mazzulla has his team playing harder than anyone expected.
All of this has been possible thanks to a number of surprise contributors who have cemented their role with the team heading into the New Year and should be expected to stay with the team well into 2026.
1. G Jordan Walsh
If you glance at the box score, it would seem that Walsh isn't all that impressive, averaging only 7.0 points a game to go along with 4.7 rebounds. However, what the box score doesn't tell you is just how vital Walsh has been for setting the tone for Boston's second unit. The young guard can shut down opponents by utilizing his impressive wingspan and a level of intensity that has Mazzulla putting the young player in an increasingly important role.
What makes this emergence more surprising is the fact that Walsh is a 38th overall pick from the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Not only was it fair to wonder if Walsh would make the team's final roster, but also how long he might be able to stick. Not only is the young defender extremely important to the second unit, but fans are wondering just how high the ceiling might be for a player who is still only 21.
The breakout season speaks to the elite development of the Celtics and a coaching staff that clearly never viewed this season as a rebuilding year. It is something that has fans wondering just how far this roster might be able to go.
2. C Neemias Queta
Queta was a second-round pick by the Sacramento Kings back in the 2021 draft. and was eventually waived in 2023. The Celtics stepped in and brought in depth behind an impressive group of Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porziņģis. This trio left in the previous offseason and opened the door for Queta's ascendence that fans never saw coming. While Queta was a nice depth piece, there wasn't any belief that the center was an untouchable piece of the future.
Now, Queta has gone from a borderline depth piece to one of the league's most impressive centers. The physical rim protector is shooting 66% and averaging 10 points per game while fitting perfectly into Boston's system. While the numbers aren't overwhelming, they are far above expectations and make it clear that Queta is an important piece of the future.
If the current numbers hold, not only will the big man return next season, but it seems likely the Celtics will look to work out an extension. There simply is no understating just how exciting the emergence of the center has been.
3. F Luka Garza
Garza has had an up-and-down season when it comes to finding time in Boston's rotation. However, it has become clear that Mazzulla values the shooting Garza brings, and the forward is buying into the system. This isn't to gloss over the fact that Garza is always going to be a liability defensively, but pointing out the shooter is making 45% of his 3-pointers and shooting 59% overall, this goes a long way in answering where Boston is going to find offense off the bench.
Having a button to press at any time to bring a capable shooter into the game is a much-needed boost. It fits the style of this team and allows Garza the perfect role with quality defenders around him. It seems clear that the shooter is going to continue to gain the trust of his coach and be an important bench piece as the Celtics move deeper into the season.
If anything, the emergence of Garza as a viable bench piece sets up the potential exit of Sam Hauser ahead of this year's trade deadline. No matter how it shakes out, Garza is yet another example of an underrated piece that has become important to Boston's impressive start.