Celtics Open 2026-27 Season With High Eastern Conference Hopes

The Boston Celtics begin their 2026-27 regular season against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday afternoon, entering the campaign with ambitions of finishing atop the Eastern Conference. Their outlook, detailed in Sports Illustrated's season guide published Oct. 20, 2026, centers on Jayson Tatum's expected return to full health, a flexible rotation under coach Joe Mazzulla, and the challenge of managing key players' minutes.

The season guide projects Boston to win 51 games and finish first in the Eastern Conference. It also forecasts an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, while acknowledging that injuries and unfavorable playoff matchups could derail the team's championship ambitions.

Boston faces a demanding Eastern Conference field, with the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons identified as notable competition. The guide argues that the conference's strength could make every regular-season result important in the race for playoff positioning.

Rotation decisions will be a central storyline. Mazzulla has indicated that although several starting positions are settled, playing time throughout the rotation will remain flexible as younger players compete for larger roles.

Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh and Ron Harper Jr. are among the wings expected to have opportunities to earn significant minutes. Scheierman recorded 18 assists during the preseason, tying Payton Pritchard for the team lead, according to the season guide.

Gonzalez also made an impression from beyond the arc, converting 11 of 20 three-point attempts for 55% during the preseason. The guide cautions that the sample is too small to establish whether the shooting will carry over into regular-season play.

Derrick White's offense is another question. Although he delivered a strong defensive season in 2025-26, his shooting declined. The guide reports that White acknowledged overthinking his shot and making the problem worse.

Health management could determine how effectively Boston uses its depth. Paul George and Mitchell Robinson are expected to miss time as the team manages their workloads, with their injury histories presenting additional concerns. George played nearly 49 minutes across two preseason games, averaging about 25 minutes per game.

Robinson's offensive development is also under scrutiny. Mazzulla has publicly said the center needs to expand his game and become more dynamic, potentially giving Boston another dimension beyond his ability to roll toward the basket.

Tatum's condition offers a significant positive for Boston. According to the guide, preseason action indicated that he was fully healthy and ready for the season. The Celtics believe he can reach another level, with a potential Most Valuable Player campaign among the possibilities discussed.

Boston's preseason defense provided another encouraging sign. The team averaged 12.8 steals per game, ranking fourth in that category, and finished first in defensive rating, according to the guide. Its aggressive approach could remain a feature of the defense, supported by two centers capable of protecting the rim.

The schedule presents an early test, particularly in November. The guide highlights a road-heavy stretch and an unusual travel itinerary that could place additional demands on the roster. How well Boston manages that period may affect its ability to maintain consistency in a competitive conference.

The salary figures published in the guide list Tatum at $58,456,566, Paul George at $54,126,380, Derrick White at $30,348,000, Robinson at $15,044,000, Sam Hauser at $10,848,215 and Pritchard at $7,767,857. The listed contract timelines run through 2029-30 for Tatum, 2027-28 for George and 2028-29 for White, Robinson and Hauser.