Bleacher Report put out some bold NBA predictions to begin the New Year, courtesy of the pen of Andy Bailey.
When it came to the Boston Celtics, Bailey made a forecast that is sure to have fans in Boston smiling from ear to ear. He envisioned the Celtics making the 2026 NBA Finals this summer.
“Despite the absence of Jayson Tatum and the losses of Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford, the Boston Celtics are entering 2026 in third place in the East,” Bailey wrote on January 1.
“And they’ve fought their way to that position despite three of their top four scorers (Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons) all having worse three-point percentages than their career marks.”
“At some point, any of them could get on a heater,” Bailey continued. “And combining that with Jaylen Brown’s superstar turn … will give Boston a puncher’s chance against any Eastern Conference team in a playoff series. But the real source of Celtics optimism, at least as it relates to another trip to the Finals, is the potential return of Jayson Tatum. … In short, Boston could be adding a perennial All-NBA forward to a team that’s already on pace for 50-plus wins. And that will be enough to make a return trip to the NBA Finals.”
Story continues below advertisement
Boston will continue its season on Saturday with a road test against Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers.
Featured image via Peter Casey/USA TODAY Sports Images
