Respected NBA Writer Makes Bold Celtics Prediction For Upcoming NBA Season

Yahoo Sports writer Kevin O'Connor predicted that the Boston Celtics will earn the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the upcoming 2026-27 season. O'Connor expressed strong optimism about the pairing of Jayson Tatum and Paul George following their preseason play, noting they showed more synergy and balance together than Tatum ever had with Jaylen Brown.

Dave Ettinger reports that O'Connor's optimistic view contrasts with broader analyst sentiment after Boston traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for George and draft picks on July 6. The Celtics finished 56-26 as the second seed last year before suffering a first-round playoff exit, and sportsbooks currently place them behind both the New York Knicks and 76ers in conference championship odds.