As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, speculation abounds regarding where the Boston Celtics will land in the Atlantic Division standings. The absence of star forward Jayson Tatum, sidelined by an Achilles tendon injury, has significantly lowered expectations for the reigning champions. Barring catastrophic setbacks, the Celtics are unlikely to fall below teams like the Brooklyn Nets in the division hierarchy. However, catching up to a powerhouse like the New York Knicks seems equally improbable without their best player, leaving Boston in a broad range of potential finishes.
Analysts suggest that the Celtics are more likely to secure a postseason berth through the play-in tournament than to clinch a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference outright. A top-six finish would position them among the Atlantic Division’s elite, but their current roster, depleted by trades of key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to manage salary cap constraints, faces an uphill battle. The team’s new additions, including Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza, and Josh Minott, aim to keep them competitive, with Simons bringing scoring flair to the backcourt. A recent Real GM Radio YouTube segment explored the projected standings for the Atlantic Division, analyzing how the Celtics, Nets, Raptors, 76ers, and Knicks might fare this season.
With NBA media days and training camp still a month away, basketball fans seeking competitive action can turn to EuroBasket 2025, which kicks off on August 27 and runs through September 14. The tournament, featuring top teams like France, Serbia, and Germany, will showcase numerous NBA stars, including Nikola Jokić, a three-time MVP leading a formidable Serbian squad. The Celtics will be represented by Neemias Queta, suiting up for Portugal. Group stage games will take place in Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, and Poland, with the knockout rounds hosted in Riga, Latvia.
