BOSTON — After finishing off Orlando in the first round, Jayson Tatum opened up about how winning the title last year changed his approach to the game. Without the weight of a championship drought hanging over him anymore, the Celtics star relished the newfound freedom of playing unburdened. “I’ve just enjoyed this season of playing carefree basketball and not having that hang over my head,” Tatum explained.
But after Wednesday’s crushing loss, the burden has returned. It’s a different kind of pressure, but just as ominous. The monkey is back on the Celtics’ back, and doubts are front and center again. The team that once seemed destined to contend for another title now finds itself teetering on the edge of elimination. With their backs against the wall, the Celtics are in big trouble — and they know it.
Wednesday’s loss was not just another playoff defeat; it may have been the last game the Celtics play at TD Garden this season. That notion, just days ago, would have seemed almost unfathomable. But now, the Celtics face the reality of a potential sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks, who have been fearless in big moments throughout the series. The Knicks have shown no signs of relenting, and the Celtics find themselves on the brink of disaster.
Down 2-0 to an inferior Knicks team, the Celtics are ripe for criticism. The next few days will be filled with pundits and analysts questioning their game plan, execution, and mental toughness. Boston’s inability to adjust to their 3-point shooting woes has been a glaring issue. For two straight games, the Celtics built sizable leads, only to watch them evaporate in the blink of an eye. It’s a pattern that is deeply concerning, and it’s one the Celtics have yet to correct.
The Celtics had a 20-point lead in both Game 1 and Game 2, yet they couldn’t hold on to either of them. The Knicks, resilient and undeterred, clawed their way back each time. Boston’s inability to respond to New York’s pressure — especially in the final minutes — raises even more questions. In both losses, the Celtics had a chance to either tie or win in the final seconds, but a lack of execution from their $50 million superstar, Jayson Tatum, led to missed opportunities.
For the second consecutive game, Tatum — the player expected to shoulder the weight of the franchise — failed to get a shot off when it mattered most. Whether due to injury, lack of confidence, or just the pressure of the moment, Tatum’s struggles are beginning to look like a significant factor in the team’s downfall. In both Game 1 and Game 2, the Celtics needed their leader to rise to the occasion, but instead, they were left with unanswered questions and missed chances.
Jaylen Brown, ever the optimist, acknowledged the missed opportunities but remained hopeful. “Two games we were up 20 points and somehow we come out not with wins. It’s inexcusable,” Brown said. “But we’re going to learn from it. We’re going to respond.” While his words provide some level of reassurance, they do little to explain why the Celtics failed to learn from Game 1, when they suffered the same fate.
The mounting pressure on head coach Joe Mazzulla is also hard to ignore. His strange philosophies and unorthodox quotes, once viewed as quirky and entertaining, are now coming under fire as the Celtics find themselves in a tight spot. His decision to leave a timeout in his pocket during Wednesday’s loss — a time-out that could have potentially stopped New York’s momentum — has drawn criticism. The play stoppage might have been the key to regaining control or at least providing a few extra seconds for the Celtics to set up a final play.
If the Celtics lose this series, Mazzulla’s swift journey from hero to hot seat will be nothing short of astonishing. A coach once praised for his leadership and innovation will quickly find himself the subject of intense scrutiny, as fans and media alike will demand answers. Every decision — or lack thereof — will be magnified, especially in such high-stakes moments.
For Tatum, the new burden is clear: not letting this opportunity slip away. One championship is great, but Tatum has set his sights much higher. He’s spoken often about wanting to become a Celtics legend, chasing the greatness of Larry Bird. But now, after last year’s title, Tatum finds himself in the midst of another pivotal moment. He may never play on a team this talented again. With luxury tax penalties looming and key players like Al Horford and Jrue Holiday aging, the Celtics’ window of championship contention could close sooner than expected.
The looming reality of roster changes and financial constraints only adds to the pressure Tatum faces. If the Celtics fail to make a deep run this season, the dominant playoff performances of last year will start to feel like a distant memory. Last year’s postseason dominance, which was once hailed as a statement of greatness, might instead be seen as a fluke — a run over a collection of injured opponents rather than a true display of the Celtics’ championship mettle.
As for Tatum himself, he has not been the same player in this series that we saw last year. Whether he is battling a wrist injury, a lack of confidence, or some other unknown ailment, his performance has been far from stellar. Tatum is shooting just 28.6 percent from the field and a dismal 25 percent from beyond the arc in this series. Those numbers are far from what the Celtics need from their superstar to make a deep playoff run.
Tatum was absent from the press conference following Wednesday’s loss, his scheduled appearance canceled when a fire alarm forced a brief evacuation of TD Garden. His silence spoke volumes, leaving many to wonder just how much this series is weighing on the young star. With so much at stake, it’s unclear whether Tatum will be able to overcome the mounting pressure and lead the Celtics out of this crisis.
The Celtics have two days to regroup before heading to New York, where they face the very real possibility of being swept. The coming days will test not just Tatum’s ability to perform but the team’s collective resilience. Can they find a way to rise above their struggles and reclaim the momentum that once seemed so firmly in their grasp? Or will the burden of expectations and missed opportunities prove too much to bear?