Former Boston Celtics point guard Jeff Teague has publicly backed his old team as genuine NBA title contenders, a view amplified by the team's current five-game winning run. The Celtics' most recent performance was a dominant 144-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on April 10, 2026.
Teague, who played for Boston during the 2020-21 season, shared his thoughts on his "Club 520" podcast. He specifically pointed to star forward Jayson Tatum's potential for an MVP-caliber season. This comes despite Tatum managing an Achilles tendon injury, which Teague assumes has healed. The recent major trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, Teague argues, sets the stage for Tatum to carry the primary scoring load.
Teague's analysis wasn't based on nostalgia for his former club. He sees tangible potential in the current roster construction. "Teague sees star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum as an ascendant talent," the source noted, emphasizing his belief in Tatum's individual growth. The guard's comments suggest a confidence that Boston's front office has built a team capable of competing at the highest level, even after a significant roster shake-up. His perspective adds an interesting layer to the pre-season conversation surrounding the Celtics' ceiling.
The statistics strongly support the optimistic outlook. The Celtics are on a perfect 5W-0D-0L run in their last five contests. This streak includes decisive wins like a 133-101 road victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 4 and a 147-129 triumph over the Miami Heat on April 1. Their offense has been consistently explosive, averaging well over 120 points per game during this stretch.
Their latest win, the 144-118 result against the Pelicans, showed their ability to put up huge numbers. Before that, they secured a 113-102 home win against the Charlotte Hornets on April 8. Going further back, they handled the Hornets again 114-99 on March 29 and topped the Golden State Warriors 120-99 on March 18. This consistent winning form is exactly the foundation a team needs heading into the postseason grind.
Teague's endorsement and the team's hot streak create significant momentum. It shifts the external narrative around the Celtics from a team in transition after the Jaylen Brown trade to a confident unit hitting its stride. The focus now turns to whether Tatum can shoulder the increased responsibility and if the supporting cast can maintain its high level of play. Their recent results prove they can beat playoff-caliber teams like the Bucks and Heat convincingly.
The combination of expert validation from a former player and concrete, dominant wins makes Boston a fascinating team to watch. Their schedule ahead will be the real test, but the current evidence points to a squad that has every right to be considered among the East's best. The key will be sustaining this intensity and health, particularly for Tatum, as the playoffs approach.
