This was supposed to be a year for the Boston Celtics to take a breath and refocus outside of the limelight.

With Jayson Tatum expected to be out for at least the majority of this season after suffering an Achilles injury during last year’s postseason, many expected this to be a gap year for their championship aspirations. Instead, Boston has responded with resolve, proving that the infrastructure built by head coach Joe Mazzulla is more than enough and that a championship infrastructure simply does not disappear overnight with the absence of one player, no matter how great.

The Tatum-less Celtics have now won six of their last eight games to push their record up to 16–11. They sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, firmly in the mix despite navigating the season without their best player. It took a few weeks for them to find their groove, but everyone now seems much more comfortable in their expanded roles.

The clearest beneficiary of these expanded responsibilities has been the team’s other perennial NBA All-Star, Jaylen Brown. He has elevated his game to another level in Tatum’s absence, averaging 29.3 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field, along with 6.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The scoring, shooting, and assist numbers all represent career-highs, and they have come amidst an increase in shot attempts. Brown is taking a career-high 21.5 shots per game, including a league-leading 15.8 attempts from two-point range, yet he somehow remains more efficient than ever.

This balance that Brown has achieved has defined Boston’s approach as a whole. Brown has assumed command of this team and the rest have followed. The offense is structured around him and he has responded to the pressure with a telling poise.

Boston has also found meaningful contributions from the rest of their rotation. Veteran guard Derrick White has been even more  indispensable on both ends, averaging 17.8 points, 3.1 three-pointers, 4.1 rebounds, five assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks. His ability to simply do everything has stabilized a team that might otherwise fray without him. Meanwhile, his backcourt partner Payton Pritchard has provided a consistent offensive punch in his first season as a full-time starter, posting 16.7 points, 2.7 threes, 4.5 rebounds, and five assists per game.

Other players such as Anfernee Simons, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh have also played key roles, reinforcing the Celtics’ identity as a team that relies on its system and depth rather than star power.

The underlying advanced metrics support the eye test. Boston ranks fifth in the league in net rating, trailing only the Knicks among Eastern Conference teams, suggesting that they may be even better than their record suggests.

Recent videos showing that Tatum is progressing well in his recovery have only added intrigue. Whether he returns this season remains uncertain, but the hope that he can return has already reinvigorated their fanbase–and their team as well. The Celtics, the 2024 NBA champions, cannot be overlooked. The Eastern Conference remains wide open and this team’s resilience –and understanding of what it takes to win–has proven to be just as valuable as star power.