Even five months later, small bits of green and white confetti still flutter down from the rafters at TD Garden after player introductions, serving as a subtle reminder of what was achieved in this building not long ago.
But those falling fragments tell a bigger story. They symbolize the journey of the 2023-24 Celtics, their long-sought Banner 18, and the hard work, lessons, and sacrifices that brought it to life.
While the memories remain fresh, the Celtics have turned the page. Last season is behind them, and the focus is now on doing it all over again. But they haven’t forgotten what got them there—the principles and identity that sent that confetti falling. Those foundations still serve as their blueprint, even as they recognize that adjustments and growth are essential.
“The biggest challenge, again, I know I’ve talked about this, is expectations. Having an expectation that it’s going to go a certain way, also thinking, because we’ve done it one way, we just have to do it that way again,” Joe Mazzulla said back in training camp. “I think that’s a challenge heading into any season. There are obviously principles, non-negotiables, things that we have to recreate, that we have to do every single year, and then there are things that we have to adjust and find ways to be better.”
At the core of those “non-negotiables” is the team-first mentality that fueled their championship run. Brad Stevens made character a key focus in building this roster, and it’s something the 15 returning players from last year’s title team fully embrace—the selfless commitment to putting the team above individual goals—embracing the concept of “sacrifice.”
“From the outside looking in, they just seem like they care about winning more than anything else. 99 percent of the time, it seems like they make the right, simple pass to whoever it is that’s open,” Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before a 123-99 Celtics victory on Thursday night.
“I know this sounds crazy, but there aren’t that many teams that at that level would just throw the ball to the open man, and that shows the ultimate amount of trust in a team. And then everybody goes out and they repeat what their stars do. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown — those guys could shoot the ball every time they wanted to. But they sacrifice for themselves to make the right play over and over again. I think it sets the tone, and they’ve built and established a great culture of that here and one that people should try to emulate more.”
That selflessness and willingness to adapt to different roles have been a constant theme all season. No matter who’s on the floor, the Celtics step up, fill the needed roles, and do whatever it takes to win. They demonstrated this once again in Thursday night’s win over Detroit.
With superstar Jayson Tatum – who leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists – and sharpshooter Sam Hauser sidelined, the Celtics didn’t miss a beat.
Jaylen Brown took on the “1A” role but didn’t force anything. Instead of chasing points, he made the right reads and created opportunities for his teammates, staying true to the Celtics’ unselfish philosophy. Brown finished with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, six rebounds, and nine assists and was a game-high +30.
“I thought he set the tone,” a proud Mazzulla said after the game. “He took five shots in the first half, but he made a point to really push the pace, to create two-on-ones, find his teammates, and be a playmaker.”
Payton Pritchard delivered a game-high 27 points and a season-high 10 assists off the bench, while Derrick White broke out of his shooting slump with 23 points, including seven three-pointers (7-of-12). Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points and eight rebounds, and Jrue Holiday did a bit of everything, tallying 12 points (4-of-8 shooting), seven rebounds, and six assists.
And, of course, the 'Stay-Ready Group' stepped up when their number was called. Luke Kornet provided a spark with eight points in the final 2:35 of the first quarter, while Drew Peterson and Neemias Queta made their mark during their minutes.
The result was a 24-point win, with the Celtics racking up 123 points, with six players in double figures and 34 assists on 51.1% shooting from the field and 41.7% from three. Conversely, the Pistons struggled, failing to crack 100 points (99) on 42.9% shooting from the field and just 18.9% from three.
“It’s just the locker room,” Mazzulla said, reflecting on the team’s consistency in play night after night, no matter who is on the floor. “It’s really just the expectation and the professionalism. It’s not an excuse for who’s in or who’s out. There is an expectation to do their job, an expectation to win. But I think it’s just them. They don’t miss a beat because of their preparation, their attention to detail.”
That connectivity is exactly what Mazzulla wants—and needs—from his team. While “Mazzulla Ball” is often recognized for its analytical approach and three-point focus—an area the Celtics dominated on Thursday night with a 20-7 advantage (+39 points)—the true essence lies in capitalizing on the game’s subtle nuances. It’s about making the right reads, creating two-on-one advantages, and seamlessly blending offense and defense.
For that to work, players must be on the same page, united by a single goal: winning.
“It starts with the guys that we have in the locker room. I think it’s important to know that we do have egos. We just put them in the right place,” Mazzulla said. “It’s not that we shouldn’t have them. We should have them as long as they’re put in the right place. So I think it’s with the character of guys, and I think they have a trust and an understanding of what could lead to long-term success. You have to commit to that every day, and I think the guys work to commit to that.”
Up and down the roster, the players understand that. Boston has used 12 different starting lineups this season and has had its full top six available for just one game. Yet, they are 20-5, beating opponents by 10.0 points per game, thanks to their unwavering commitment to each other and playing the right way.
“Joe is right. We all have egos,” Pritchard said. “We’re all really confident people, and I don’t think we’d be in the position we are today without a little bit of that. You’ve got to have that. But it’s understanding that, at times, you have to do what’s best for the team, and that’s the selflessness that our guys have and should continue. So, obviously, it contributes to winning. [We have a] good group of guys.”
Sure, talent plays a huge role. But in the case of these Celtics, their selflessness and commitment to playing the game the right way are just as important.
“We try to keep the same mindset,” added Pritchard. “We try to hang our hat on just playing the right basketball, no matter who is in.”
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