Celtics Face Rebounding Struggles Amid Roster Changes

BOSTON, MA — The Boston Celtics are adapting to a new roster as they navigate the early part of the 2025 NBA season. With Jayson Tatum sidelined and several veteran players departing, the Celtics are learning how to compete without their star power.

Ten games into the season, Boston’s performance has been a mixed bag. Despite losing key players like Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, they still boast talent, including a Finals MVP and a Sixth Man of the Year. However, their biggest challenge lies in rebounding, where they rank 28th in defensive rebound percentage.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla has focused on improving their defensive efforts, especially limiting turnovers and opponent scoring attempts. While the Celtics excel in these areas, their troubles in securing rebounds have stalled their potential success. Mazzulla has emphasized rebounding since the preseason, even pulling players for not boxing out during games.

Jaylen Brown has emerged as a standout player for the Celtics this season, showcasing his scoring ability with a career-high true shooting percentage of 62.3%. With Tatum out, Brown’s performance is crucial. He currently holds the third-highest usage rate in the league, behind only Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Teammate Derrick White has had a rough start to the season, hitting only 26% of his three-point attempts. He struggles without Tatum to draw defensive focus, missing wide-open looks at an alarming rate.

Meanwhile, rookies like Josh Minott and Hugo González have started to make their mark. Minott’s explosive play and ability to shoot from the corner have added depth to the team, while González’s hustle has energized the roster.

Neemias Queta has also become a key figure, boasting a +14.4 net rating when on the court. His improvement in defensive coverage has been vital for the Celtics as they strive for consistency. Conversely, veterans Luka Garza and Anfernee Simons have struggled to contribute effectively, leading to a negative impact on the team’s net rating.

Despite the challenges, the Celtics’ long-term outlook remains positive. With Brown playing at an All-NBA level and promising young players developing, the team has potential once Tatum returns to full health. Boston fans are hopeful that as the season progresses, the team’s rebounding woes will improve, allowing them to compete for a playoff spot.