The Boston Celtics entered the 2024-25 season as the reigning NBA champions, but their title defense was cut short by injuries and a formidable New York Knicks team. The turning point came when Jayson Tatum suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4 of the second round, leading to a six-game series loss against coach Tom Thibodeau’s squad.
Why Did Jaylen Brown Call Out New York Knicks Fans?
As a new season approaches, the Celtics are navigating a retooled roster without Tatum. Star Jaylen Brown recently reflected on how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA, and he didn’t miss the chance to take a jab at the league’s most talked-about fans.
“It’s a part of the game, you have to accept both, the highs and the lows,” Brown said. “Last year, we were a championship team, we won the championship. Duckboats, champagne… this year we gotta listen to insufferable Knicks fans. I don’t know how we lost in general, but we lost.”
The Knicks haven’t been a legitimate championship contender for a long time, so their fans fully embrace this recent renaissance. After decades of frustration, the fanbase is taking every opportunity to celebrate their bragging rights, especially over the defending champions.
However, the Knicks’ run ended in the Eastern Conference Finals. Their loss to the Indiana Pacers prompted a coaching change, with Mike Brown replacing Tom Thibodeau. While New York is still considered a contender in the East, the team may face some growing pains under new leadership.
How Will the New-Look Celtics Stay Competitive?
Meanwhile, the Celtics will look very different in the 2025-26 campaign. Salary cap pressures forced the front office to trade Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks, and they also watched veteran Al Horford sign with the Golden State Warriors in free agency.
Boston did acquire Anfernee Simons in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. With his scoring ability, Simons is expected to provide a major boost off the bench and could become a leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
With Tatum sidelined, this becomes Jaylen Brown’s team. He has already shown he can carry the load when needed, and this extended responsibility could lead to a career year for the star wing. Coach Joe Mazzulla’s team won’t be as deep as in previous seasons so that they will rely heavily on Brown’s leadership and production.
Brown certainly won’t get a warm welcome at Madison Square Garden this season. But even though this Celtics team is banged up and retooling, they should still have enough talent to compete with anyone in the East on any given night.