The Boston Celtics are currently 0-2 down to the New York Knicks, something that no one predicted for the defending NBA champs. It certainly looks like the chances of the 17-time winners have increased now that the Knicks look comfortable.
The NY-based team will travel to the TD Garden with a comfortable lead, but there is still a strong chance of the Celtics turning the ship around. Ahead of the Game 3 clash in Boston, an NBA insider has weighed in on the Celtics’ championship chances this year.
Brian Windhorst Has No Hope For Celtics
Celtics’ quest for Banner 19 has hit a snag, and according to Windhorst, the future beyond this season could be fraught with challenges. Speaking on ESPN’s First Take yesterday, Windhorst painted a stark financial picture for the Celtics, stating, “Next year, their payroll is $460 million when you compute the taxes.”
“There’s a possibility this team’s not gonna come back. … That’s what’s on the line.” 😳
@WindhorstESPN says the Celtics may look different next year if they don’t win their series against the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/DQKRaWlYfF
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 8, 2025
“There’s a possibility this team is not going to come back. That’s what’s on the line. What’s on the line is if these guys want to stick together and win more rings,” he added.
Boston Struggles Against New York
The grim financial outlook casts a shadow over the team’s immediate struggles in their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup against the New York Knicks. The Celtics, widely considered championship contenders, have stumbled out of the gate, dropping the first two games of the series. What’s more concerning for Celtics faithful is the manner in which these losses occurred. In both Game 1 and Game 2, Boston squandered significant 20-point leads, allowing a resilient Knicks team to claw their way back and secure crucial victories on Boston’s court.
These collapses raise serious question about the Celtics’ mental toughness and ability to close out tight games under pressure. The inability to maintain substantial leads against a tough opponent like the Knicks will undoubtedly fuel doubts about their championship mettle. While the talent on the Celtics roster is undeniable, their inability to execute consistently for the entirety of a game is proving to be a significant hurdle.
Boston’s Potential Offseason Moves
Adding another layer of uncertainty to the Celtics’ future are swirling rumors regarding potential offseason trades. Whispers have emerged suggesting the team might consider moving key veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in an attempt to alleviate the looming financial burden highlighted by Windhorst. Trading away two integral pieces of their current core would without question alter the team’s chemistry and potentially diminish their championship aspirations in the short term.
Despite their talent and role within the organization, their substantial salaries, couples with the contracts of other key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, are contributing to the exorbitant projected payroll.
The prospect of dismantling a team with legitimate title aspirations due to financial constraints will be a bitter pill to swallow for Celtics fans. Windhorst’s comments, coupled with the team’s current playoff struggles and trade rumors, paint a worrying picture.
The pressure is now firmly on the Celtics to overcome their deficit against the Knicks and prove that their championship window remains firmly open, despite the looming economic realities. Their performance in the remainder of this series could very well dictate the team’s direction and composition heading into a potentially turbulent offseason.
