Jayson Tatum enters the 2026-27 NBA season as the undisputed leader of a Boston Celtics team stripped of its second star—Jaylen Brown is gone, and the franchise’s future now rests on his shoulders. With a revamped roster featuring Mitchell Robinson, Paul George, and a core of young talent, Tatum’s ability to elevate this team will define his legacy. The Celtics, who won 56 games last season (the second-best record in the Eastern Conference), collapsed in the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers—a failure that forced a blockbuster trade sending Brown to Philly for George and picks.

What happened to the Celtics in 2025-26? The 2025-26 season was a study in contradictions for Boston. Without Tatum for most of the year due to injury, the Celtics still posted the league’s fourth-best record. Jaylen Brown carried the load early, but the team’s playoff meltdown—losing a 3-1 lead to the 76ers—exposed a lack of depth. Head coach Joe Mazzulla and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens responded by trading away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, then letting Al Horford and Luke Kornet walk in free agency. The result? A leaner, younger roster entering 2026-27 with Tatum as the sole superstar.

How does Tatum’s role change without Brown? Tatum’s career stats show dominance when his usage rate hits 33% or higher—his teams go 76-9 in those stretches. But the Celtics’ success over the years relied on forcing defenses to choose between Tatum and Brown. Now, Boston must rely on role players like Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and second-year guard Hugo Gonzalez to fill the void. Stevens is betting on a system that maximizes Pritchard and White when Tatum isn’t on the floor, per analytics showing they perform better without Brown sharing the court.

Who’s on Tatum’s new Celtics roster? The Celtics’ 2026-27 lineup blends veterans and young talent. Mitchell Robinson, a 2026 NBA champion with the New York Knicks, joins as a defensive anchor. Paul George, acquired in the Brown trade, adds scoring and leadership. Established Celtics like Pritchard, White, and Sam Hauser provide bench firepower, while Baylor Scheierman and Gonzalez offer depth. The team trails the defending-champion Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, and now the 76ers in Eastern Conference expectations—but projections mean little in Boston.

Can Tatum lead the Celtics past the first round? The 2025-26 collapse proved depth matters. The Knicks, Spurs, and Thunder all won titles with balanced rosters. Tatum’s challenge is twofold: sustain his individual brilliance while elevating a team that lacks a clear second option. If he can replicate his 2024 playoff form—when he averaged 30.1 points and 10.6 rebounds—Boston could return to the Finals. But without Brown’s playmaking, the Celtics’ path will hinge on Pritchard, White, and Robinson stepping up in big moments.