What a difference two months makes in the NBA. No team understands that better than the Celtics. After entering the postseason as favorites to win another NBA title, everything fell apart for the defending champs. On top of losing a second round series to the Knicks, Boston also saw franchise leader Jayson Tatum suffer a gruesome torn Achilles.
Without their best player for potentially the entire season, the C’s decided to rebuild. The front office made the difficult decision to trade veterans Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Can Jaylen Brown and Derrick White guide this ragtag roster to another postseason berth?
The Celtics have a projected win total of 43.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook, seventh-highest in the Eastern Conference.
If you’re interested in seeing any of the other NBA teams’ projected win totals, check out DKN‘s master list of the full 2025-2026 NBA projected win totals.
Boston Celtics 2025-2026 projected win total
Analysis
As previously mentioned, it’s been a summer of change in Beantown. Going without three starters entering next season is no easy task, even for a championship-winning coach such as Joe Mazzulla. To make matters worse, the newest members of the Celtics aren’t exactly world-beaters. Score-first guard Anfernee Simons and career backup Georges Niang are both projected to play a major role on this team next season. With Luke Kornet joining the Spurs, 2024-25 benchwarmer Xavier Tillman is in line for major minutes down low. None of those names should inspire much confidence.
What should give Celtics fans hope is that almost nobody got better in the Eastern Conference. Dreams of challenging the Knicks and Cavaliers are far-fetched. The Magic and Hawks both made major moves to upgrade their rosters, and appear poised for contention. Outside of those four, this conference appears to be wide open. The 76ers are a walking injury report, the Bucks are flawed even with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton next season.
The other piece of the puzzle for Boston is whether Jaylen Brown can take the next step. For years, the wing has been an overqualified Robin to Tatum’s Batman. However, as seen during the 2024 NBA Finals, JB is more than capable of carrying an offense. On this stripped-down squad, the four-time All-Star will get an opportunity to prove he can be ‘the guy’ for a playoff-caliber team. Last season, Brown averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field.
Elsewhere, Derrick White could also see more touches this season. One of the association’s best two-way players, the guard is a threat to reach his first career All-Star Game. Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard is already one of the NBA’s best shooters. Could he develop into a more well-rounded player with an expanded role? Those two, plus Brown, are the only hope the Celtics have at avoiding the Eastern Conference play-in.
Boston Celtics projected win total: Best bets, predictions
Boston Celtics under 43.5 wins (+100)
In spite of the injuries and turnover, there’s still talent in Boston. The thought of Brown emerging as a dark horse MVP candidate, while unlikely, isn’t too unlikely. Still, separate the franchise from the actual roster. If these same players were suiting up for the Hornets, I doubt bettors would be so bullish. Fringe playoff contention? Sure. A win total in the mid-40’s? That’s a bridge too far.
