Veteran forward Torrey Craig believes the Boston Celtics remain in championship contention heading into the 2025–26 season, even if Jayson Tatum is sidelined.
In an interview with CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell, Craig expressed confidence in the roster’s depth and adaptability despite Tatum’s expected absence due to an Achilles injury suffered during the 2025 playoffs.
“It’s a great group of guys,” Craig said. “Obviously, the situation matters, but I feel like even without JT, this team could still compete for a championship.”
Craig signed with Boston on February 8 and appeared in 17 games during the regular season, providing perimeter defense and veteran presence off the bench.
The Celtics finished the 2024–25 campaign with a 61–21 record, second-best in the NBA, before defeating the Orlando Magic in five games in the first round of the playoffs.
However, the defending champions were eliminated by the New York Knicks in six games in the conference semifinals, after Tatum tore his Achilles in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.
Tatum underwent surgery the following day and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025–26 season.
Despite losing their leading scorer, rebounder, and playmaker, Craig believes Boston’s system and remaining personnel give them a shot at another deep postseason run.
“They’re talented. You just have to find a way to play basketball a little differently,” he said. “But this group is way more capable. I have the utmost confidence.”
The Celtics will return with All-NBA guard Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and elite defenders Derrick White and Jrue Holiday.
Boston’s front office has yet to confirm if they will make offseason moves to address Tatum’s absence, but Craig’s remarks highlight the internal belief in the locker room.
Tatum, who averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in the regular season, had led Boston to its NBA-record 18th championship in 2024.
He was named an All-Star starter for the third straight year in 2025 and finished the postseason with averages of 28.1 points and 11.5 rebounds in eight games.
Without their franchise cornerstone, the Celtics will aim to maintain continuity, defensive identity, and ball movement to stay competitive in a stacked Eastern Conference.
Boston has not repeated as champions since 1969 and has not reached consecutive NBA Finals since 1987.
