With Jayson Tatum Injured, How the Celtics Can Reload, Stay Dangerous, and Remain True Contenders Without Their Franchise Star
The start of an NBA season is always filled with excitement, optimism, and anticipation. But for the Boston Celtics, this year’s opener comes with a dose of adversity. With news that superstar forward Jayson Tatum is expected to miss time due to injury, the team suddenly finds itself at a crossroads. Expectations are sky-high after another deep playoff run and a near-championship campaign. Yet without their franchise player to begin the season, questions about their readiness, depth, and resilience are front and center. But if there’s one thing this Celtics team has proven in recent years, it’s that adversity doesn’t break them—it shapes them.
Jayson Tatum has been the centerpiece of the Celtics since entering the league in 2017. A five-time All-Star, perennial MVP candidate, and one of the most polished two-way wings in basketball, Tatum has grown into the face of the franchise. His ability to take over games, create for others, and defend multiple positions has made him indispensable. So, any extended absence is cause for concern. The nature of his injury may not be season-ending, but missing the early portion of the year can have ripple effects—both on the standings and the chemistry of a team still aiming to fine-tune its identity.
Yet, Boston isn’t a team built on one man’s shoulders. The Celtics have spent the past several years crafting one of the deepest, most versatile rosters in the NBA. President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has masterfully blended star power with role-player excellence, ensuring the team has the tools to survive injuries, setbacks, and any challenges the regular season might throw their way. Tatum’s absence, though undeniably significant, could serve as a proving ground for the rest of the roster—and a reminder of just how potent Boston’s supporting cast truly is.
At the heart of Boston’s reloaded identity is Jaylen Brown. Often playing the role of co-star to Tatum, Brown now steps into the solo spotlight. A dynamic scorer, elite athlete, and fiery competitor, Brown is more than capable of carrying the offensive load. His improvement in ball-handling and decision-making has been well-documented, and with the team now relying more heavily on him, this stretch could mark his evolution from All-Star to alpha. Brown has long bristled at being seen as a “second option.” This is his chance to show he can lead, not just support.
Running the offense in Tatum’s absence will be Jrue Holiday, the championship-winning point guard acquired in a major trade last offseason. Holiday’s presence brought a new level of toughness, defensive intelligence, and veteran savvy to the Celtics. While he doesn’t possess Tatum’s scoring explosiveness, Holiday is a steadying force who can dictate tempo, lock down opposing guards, and hit clutch shots when needed. He’ll also be tasked with facilitating the offense and keeping Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Derrick White involved and engaged.
Speaking of Porziņģis, this might be the most crucial stretch of his Celtics tenure to date. When healthy, the 7’3″ Latvian big man is a matchup nightmare—able to shoot from deep, post up smaller defenders, and protect the rim. With Tatum out, Porziņģis will be asked to shoulder more scoring responsibility, especially in half-court sets. His ability to stretch the floor will create lanes for Brown and Holiday to drive, and his size gives Boston a unique interior presence they’ve lacked in recent years. The key, as always with Porziņģis, is health. If he can stay on the floor and assert himself early, Boston may not miss as much of a beat as some expect.
Another major X-factor in navigating this stretch without Tatum is Derrick White. Often overshadowed by bigger names, White has quietly become one of the Celtics’ most reliable contributors. His blend of perimeter defense, timely shooting, and unselfish play makes him the kind of glue guy every contender needs. He’s capable of running the second unit or starting, and he brings a level of effort and consistency that’s infectious. In the absence of their superstar, teams often look to their grinders to keep the energy and focus up. White is exactly that kind of player.
Beyond the starting lineup, Boston’s bench will be under more scrutiny and pressure to produce. Players like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and newcomer Oshae Brissett will need to provide meaningful minutes. Pritchard’s development as a backup point guard has been solid, and his confidence as a shooter and ball-handler gives the second unit some firepower. Hauser, a lights-out three-point shooter, must prove he can hold his own defensively to stay on the court. Brissett brings athleticism and rebounding, both of which will be crucial in maintaining tempo and controlling the glass.
Boston’s coaching staff also has a major role to play in this transitional phase. Head coach Joe Mazzulla, still early in his head coaching career, has a golden opportunity to show growth and adaptability. Managing rotations, keeping the team focused, and making strategic adjustments will be vital. Mazzulla was criticized at times last season for his rigid approach and over-reliance on isolation offense. Without Tatum’s elite shot creation, he may be forced to install more movement, cutting, and team-oriented sets—something that could ultimately benefit the Celtics in the long run.
Defensively, Boston may lean even more heavily on its core identity. The Holiday-White-Brown trio on the perimeter is as good as any in the league at switching, hounding ball-handlers, and forcing turnovers. With Porziņģis and Al Horford anchoring the back line, the Celtics still have the personnel to maintain their top-five defensive rating. It’s often said that defense travels—and with Tatum out, Boston will likely win games with grit, rotations, and second efforts more than pure talent.
The early schedule may work in Boston’s favor. While no NBA game is a gimme, opening against a mix of rebuilding squads and mid-tier opponents gives the Celtics some breathing room. If they can stay above .500 through the first month or so and avoid any additional injuries, they’ll be well-positioned to surge once Tatum returns. It’s also worth noting that Tatum’s absence could lower his regular season workload, preserving him for the postseason—a silver lining in an otherwise frustrating situation.
More broadly, this stretch offers Boston a unique chance to discover new lineup combinations, build chemistry in unexpected places, and develop depth. Too often, teams ride their stars so heavily during the regular season that the supporting cast fails to develop rhythm or confidence. Without Tatum, the Celtics must find new offensive engines, defensive leaders, and late-game scorers. Come playoff time, that kind of experience could prove invaluable.
Tatum himself will likely remain deeply involved even while sidelined. Known for his professionalism and leadership, he’s expected to stay close to the team, mentor younger players, and contribute in whatever ways he can. His presence in the locker room, at practices, and on the sidelines will help maintain continuity and morale. And when he does return, the Celtics will hope to hit the ground running, with a deeper, more battle-tested roster and a renewed sense of purpose.
The overarching goal remains unchanged: championship or bust. Boston’s window is wide open, but nothing is guaranteed. Injuries are part of the journey, and how a team responds to adversity often defines its ultimate destiny. If the Celtics can weather this storm, continue growing, and re-integrate Tatum seamlessly later in the season, they may look back at this stretch as the crucible that forged a title team.
There’s a certain irony in the way adversity works. While no team wants to start the season without its best player, these moments often reveal character, strength, and resolve in ways success never could. For Boston, this is a chance to prove they are more than just Jayson Tatum. They are a deep, veteran, unified squad that knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
Whether it’s Jaylen Brown stepping into superstardom, Jrue Holiday orchestrating wins with calm precision, or the bench unit discovering its rhythm, the Celtics have the tools to not only survive but thrive. And when Tatum returns, he won’t be coming back to a team in survival mode. He’ll be rejoining a battle-tested squad that learned how to win without him—and is even more dangerous because of it.
So yes, Tatum’s absence is a blow. But in Boston, they’re not panicking. They’re preparing. Reloading. Because the mission hasn’t changed—and neither has the belief that this team, even without its biggest star, is still one of the most dangerous in basketball.
