BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 09: Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Toronto Raptors blocks a shot by Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at the TD Garden on January 09, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and condi...

Boston, MA - March 1: Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman gives a thumbs-up after making a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. The Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on March 1, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

Last month, CelticsBlog’s Nate Moskowitz said that the team had become a...

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics boxes out during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 27, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyr...

Boston, MA - March 4: Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic and guard Jaylen Brown talk in the third quarter. The Celtics played the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on March 4, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

BOSTON — The Celtics could have an additional boost when they face the Tor...

Joe Mazzulla wasn’t supposed to be the long-term answer.

A week before training camp in 2022, the Celtics’ future was clear and it was beautiful. They had just come off a Finals loss against the Warriors, the roster was intact, and the next few years of contention felt inevitable.

Then, the Ime Udoka situation forced everything sideways, and a 34-yea...