The Boston Celtics have been playing better than expected in the absence of star forward Jayson Tatum while he recovers from the torn Achilles tendon he sustained in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals. His costar on the wing Jaylen Brown has been a major part of the reason why, with the Georgia native playing at an MVP level so far this season and helping to push the Celtics to a third-place spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

So when news broke that Brown would be sidelines for Boston’s Saturday (Dec. 20) afternoon tilt vs. the Toronto Raptors as he deals with a non-COVID illness, the game began to look like it might be a scheduled loss for the Celtics, with the team having clawed out a win vs. a scrappy Miami Heat squad the night before. But that did not happen with the other two vets left from the 2024 title core helping to pick up the slack with a massive boost from the bench, another culprit behind Boston’s good start. After the Toronto win, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla had plenty to say about the team win.

“I thought the guys had great preparation and walked through today in the film room,” he began via CLNS Media. “It’s interesting playing (the Raptors) — these two teams are kind of similar in their physicality and the way they defend.”

“Their ability to test you with their individual defense and their off-ball and whatnot,” said Mazzulla. And so, even though we won yesterday, we were able to take away where we had to get better today, and I think it started with the guys’ preparation.”

“And then again, it’s having 12 or 13 guys that can impact the game in any way. And so I think everybody that played tonight was great. And obviously Payton (Pritchard) with his ability to bounce back from yesterday’s game. You always trust that the next game is going to be even better just because of his mindset. I thought (Anfernee Simons) was good. And obviously, what Luka (Garza) was able to do for us.”

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