The Good, The Bad, and The Green: Celtics Full Preseason Recap
- Joel Piton
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
By Joel Piton · 10/17/25 · Sportz Nation
With the NBA preseason officially in the rearview, the countdown is over—in just one day, regular season Celtics basketball returns. That also means the hunt for banner 19 begins in earnest. Yet, the journey won’t be straightforward. The franchise player is injured—fresh off last year’s postseason—and despite showing progress, is expected to miss much of the campaign, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning just how high Boston’s ceiling really is. On paper, it might not look like we have much in tow, but the preseason told a different story. If you were watching closely, you know this new-look Celtics group revealed plenty about what’s ahead in 2025–26. Let’s break it all down.
In four preseason contests, Boston wrapped things up with a 3–1 record, setting a solid tone heading into the year. The opener came on the road in Memphis, where Jaylen Brown wasted no time making his presence felt, dropping 21 points and three triples in just 20 minutes of action. Derrick White had a mixed night, struggling from beyond the arc but still filling the stat sheet with 16 points and 10 assists. Xavier Tillman—who barely saw the floor last season—looked active on the boards, while new addition Chris Boucher chipped in 11 points off the bench. Still, context matters: the Grizzlies’ lineup was far from regular-season form, mostly featuring G League call-ups, rookies, and undrafted hopefuls. So while the Celtics checked the right boxes in Game 1, the competition was anything but a true test.
Game 2 brought Boston its lone preseason blemish—a nail-biting 107–105 loss to a Raptors B-squad led by sharpshooting guard Gradey Dick. Still, the night offered more positives than negatives, especially for a team whose depth remains the biggest question mark. Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard poured in 19 points, while former Blazers guard Anfernee Simons made his Celtics debut, immediately flashing the long-range scoring punch he and Pritchard can bring as a backcourt tandem. Chris Boucher continued his strong start with 19 points and nine rebounds, once again anchoring the interior. Meanwhile, newcomers Luka Garza and Josh Minott made their presence felt on the defensive end while showing enough touch to contribute offensively. The narrow defeat may not have hurt in the standings, but it served as a reminder of how much execution and heart will matter in crunch time once the real games begin.
Game 3 was easily the most polarizing of the preseason slate. On paper, a 138–107 blowout win over the Cavaliers looked like a statement, but the context painted a different picture. Cleveland’s roster was stripped down to a largely inexperienced group, headlined by Larry Nance Jr. with rotational names like Dean Wade and Thomas Bryant sprinkled in. For many, it was hard to see this as a true test against championship-caliber competition. Still, Boston made the most of it. Jaylen Brown only scored eight points but made his mark on the boards and with timely playmaking. Josh Minott surprised with an aggressive offensive showing, dropping 16 points in his role as a starter while Derrick White pressured Cleveland’s offense. The night belonged to Anfernee Simons, who torched the Cavs with six three-pointers en route to 21 points, earning “Player of the Game” honors. Meanwhile, Cleveland lacked any real offensive spark, with second-year forward Jalon Tyson’s 16 points standing as their lone bright spot. It may not have been the most meaningful win, but getting a lopsided result against last year’s No. 1 seed—even in preseason form—is never a bad sign.
Game 4 provided another nail-biter, this time marking Brandon Ingram’s long-awaited Raptors debut. Toronto rolled out a fully healthy starting five, but Boston weathered the storm and walked away with a 110–108 victory. Derrick White stole the spotlight, stepping up when Anfernee Simons struggled and Jaylen Brown took on other responsibilities. White buried six three-pointers on his way to a game-high 33 points, proving he’s more than capable of being a go-to option offensively.
Brown, meanwhile, attempted just four shots but made his impact felt on the other end, locking in defensively against both R.J. Barrett and Ingram. Big man Neemias Queta quietly turned heads with an 8-point, 12-rebound showing, flashing the potential to be a nightly double-double presence. Josh Minott, who struggled for consistency in Minnesota, continued his preseason surge, looking every bit like a player ready to carve out a meaningful role in Boston. And then there’s Hugo Gonzalez: remember the name. Despite his undersized frame, the rookie forward has already shown flashes as a deadly catch-and-shoot option and a committed defender, making him a fascinating long-term prospect. All told, it was a gritty team effort that sealed Boston’s third and final preseason win.
So what have we really learned from the preseason? For one, the younger guys showed they can bring energy, versatility, and potential for real growth into the regular season, and the veterans proved they’re ready to shoulder the load when it counts. This roster has talent, and more importantly, it has players willing to step out of their comfort zones to embrace a positionless style of play. Some nights, Jaylen Brown will be the top bucket-getter, and other nights he’ll impact the game in quieter, less noticeable ways. Anfernee Simons may not put up 20 a night in this new role, but his scoring punch and range from deep are exactly what every contender needs. Neemias Queta may be the riskiest starting center in the Atlantic Division, but with his size, length, and mobility, he has the tools to become a matchup headache for opponents. Derrick White won’t always shoot the lights out, but his defense and ability to swing between roles make him indispensable—and when the Celtics need buckets, he’s proven he can deliver.
As for the rookies, the preseason proved they’re raw but willing to adapt. They’ll have to develop their skillsets, but their work ethic and hunger are already noticeable. The path ahead won’t be easy and it’s going to be a long, gritty season filled with tight battles and hard-earned wins. But if Boston can pull through, stay resilient while waiting on Tatum’s return, and keep the “bleed green” mentality alive, this team just might surprise the league again. Winning games in the NBA isn’t guaranteed—it never is—but the fight has just begun, and Celtics Nation will be there every step of the way.
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-Joel Piton (@jpiton7)