Category: Celtics

Kendrick Perkins puts Celtics on blast after trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers

By: @OOSSports

Brad Stevens and Kendrick Perkins

Kendrick Perkins did not hold back after the Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The blockbuster deal sent Brown to one of Boston’s biggest rivals in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. While many questioned the value the Celtics received for a player widely regarded as one of the NBA’s elite wings, Perkins took issue with both the return and the destination.

Speaking on ESPN’s SportsCenter, the former Celtics center delivered a scathing assessment of the move.

“This is a sad day for the Boston Celtics. As a former Celtic, I do not approve of this trade. If you’re going to trade a guy that’s a top 10 player, you at least have to get back a guy that’s a top 15 or top 20 player. Paul George is not that. Paul George hasn’t been consistently good since I was skinny.

“When you talk about Jaylen Brown, your former Finals MVP, Conference Finals MVP, NBA champion, coming off his best season statistically, leading this team and defeating all the odds – they were supposed to be in tanking mode! Instead, they finished second in the East.

“I know things didn’t work out like they were supposed to, as far as the way the playoff run ended, but at the end of the day, if you’re Brad Stevens, he had already lost. He lost the Giannis sweepstakes to the Miami Heat.

“If you’re going to jump off the porch and make Jaylen Brown available, you gotta make sure you pencil in that deal. This is nothing but sloppy seconds in my opinion. The way I see it, he just basically handed the Philadelphia 76ers a trip to the NBA Finals next year.”

Perkins doubled down later in the segment, arguing the trade ranks among the league’s worst.

“It was one of the dumbest trades in NBA history. Mike Gansey, Jameer Nelson, and Bob Myers should be serving breakfast in bed to Brad Stevens.

“I’m talking about cut-up fruit, seedless grapes, mint tea, toast with strawberry jam because they finessed him.”

The trade marks a dramatic shift for the Celtics, who moved on from a former Finals MVP and one of the league’s premier two-way stars. Boston now turns its attention toward maximizing the draft assets it acquired while hoping Paul George can help keep the franchise in contention.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia adds another marquee talent as it looks to strengthen its position atop the Eastern Conference.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to check out the latest episode of the OutOfSightSports YouTube series, where we grade the top 10 picks from the NBA’s recent 2026 NBA Draft and break down which teams landed the biggest stars, steals, and surprises.

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Celtics star Jayson Tatum reacts to injury after missing Game 7

Jayson Tatum

By: @oossports

The Boston Celtics saw their season end in devastating fashion, and Jayson Tatum could only watch from the sidelines.

Tatum missed Game 7 of Boston’s Eastern Conference quarterfinal loss to the Philadelphia 76ers due to left knee stiffness, a late development that forced him out of the most important game of the season.

Tatum reflects on “unfortunate” ending

Speaking Sunday, Tatum opened up about the injury and the abrupt end to his season. His comments were captured in a report by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.

“My recovery and comeback [from the Achilles injury] were going so well that how it ended, I didn’t think it was going to end that way. It was just unfortunate,” Tatum said. “I worked really, really, really, really hard to come back in the fashion that I did and play at the level I was playing at. So for it to end the way it did was a tough pill to swallow.”

Tatum had worked his way back from a torn Achilles suffered less than a year ago, making his absence even more difficult to process.

Celtics lose grip on the series.

Boston entered the series in control, holding a 3-1 lead before losing three straight games.

The Game 7 defeat marked one of the most stunning collapses in franchise history, as the Celtics became just the 14th team in NBA history to lose a best-of-seven series after leading 3-1.

Tatum’s late scratch added to the challenge, leaving Boston without its top option in a decisive moment.

The decision to sit made with medical staff

Tatum explained that the decision to sit out Game 7 followed discussions with the team’s medical staff and his trainer, Nick Sang.

“It was just with the staff and medical team and Nick, they just kind of assessed everything that was going on,” Tatum said. “And I’m still in the window of the return to play protocol, and there were just certain rules and a plan that ultimately that we had to stick by.

“And it was tough, obviously, working as hard as I did to come back and to be available and for it to come to a Game 7, not be able to be out there. I just keep saying this was unfortunate and it’s tough to deal with, but it’s a plan that we have to stick to.”

Strong return despite limitations

Despite the ending, Tatum emphasized the progress he made throughout the season.

He noted that he played at roughly 80–85% capacity after returning from injury, yet still delivered strong production during both the regular season and playoffs.

Looking ahead after difficult finish

Tatum made it clear that the season should not be defined solely by its ending.

“Yeah, the team was super, super exciting and fun to watch this season,” he said. “You know there’s only one team that can win the championship, and it’s always tough to lose whenever it does happen, beginning of May or end of June, it’s always a tough pill to swallow.

“I don’t think how it ended should take away from the growth of each guy in that locker room and the steps that they all made this season and from what the expectations were of this team to being a 2-seed and everybody having an important role and showing their value, and just doing it together. This team was a joy to watch, and it was a joy to be a part of when I was able to join them.”

He also reflected on his comeback from a broader perspective, emphasizing both personal growth and the potential to inspire others recovering from similar injuries.

“I’m very happy that I came back to be a part of his team, to get back to doing what I love, to help us, give us a chance to compete for a championship, to prove to myself that I can get back to being the guy who I was, and hopefully better,” he said. “And just to kind of defy what this injury kind of means, not necessarily from the standpoint of, like, ‘I’m great, look at what I was able to accomplish,’ but to give other guys hope that … obviously, I don’t want anybody to have to go through tearing their Achilles.

“But in the unfortunate event that it does happen, that I can be sort of inspiration, of like, if you attack rehab a certain way, if you follow these guidelines, or do it a certain way, that it’s not like a career-ending injury, that you can’t come back, that you can be yourself, that you can be better, that it won’t take 18 months, that you can come back whenever it is right for you.

“So I’m happy and proud of the fact that I was able to do that. And, unfortunately, if somebody else has to deal with this, they can look at what I was able to do and have some hope and inspiration that it’s not what people used to think it was. And you can come back from this and be who you were and hopefully be better.”

For Boston, the offseason now begins earlier than expected. For Tatum, the focus shifts to recovery, a full offseason, and returning even stronger next year.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to check out the latest episode of the OutOfSightSports YouTube series below for more coverage, analysis, and the latest updates across the sports world. ⬇️

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76ers complete historic comeback, eliminate Celtics in Game 7 thriller

By: @oossports

Tyrese Maxey VJ Edjecombe

The Philadelphia 76ers finally broke through against the Boston Celtics in a way the franchise had not in decades.

On Saturday, the 76ers secured a 109-100 Game 7 victory, completing a stunning comeback from a 3-1 series deficit and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

76ers make history against Celtics

Philadelphia entered the game carrying the weight of history.

Before this win, the franchise had never come back from a 3-1 deficit, holding an 0-18 record in those situations. Boston, meanwhile, had never lost a series after leading 3-1, entering at 32-0.

Both streaks ended in the same night.

The victory also marked the 76ers’ first playoff series win over Boston since 1982, snapping a run of six straight losses in the rivalry.

Embiid and Maxey deliver all-time performances

Joel Embiid led the way with one of the defining playoff performances of his career.

He finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, controlling the game on both ends. Tyrese Maxey matched that impact with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.

The duo became the first teammates in NBA history to each record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a Game 7.

Maxey reflected on the breakthrough after the game.

“We had a chance to beat them three years ago, didn’t do it. We came in and got it done,” Maxey said, as noted in a report by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. (Souce)

Celtics battle despite key absence

Boston entered Game 7 without Jayson Tatum, who was ruled out with knee discomfort.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed the decision pregame, leaving Boston to rely on an unfamiliar starting lineup in the biggest game of its season.

Despite the setback, the Celtics stayed competitive throughout.

Late surge seals it for 76ers

Philadelphia built an 18-point lead in the third quarter, but Boston responded early in the fourth.

The Celtics cut the deficit to one multiple times, including a late push that brought the score to 97-96 with just over five minutes remaining.

At that point, the game shifted.

Boston missed nine consecutive shots down the stretch, opening the door for Maxey to take over. He scored eight straight points in the final two minutes, creating the separation Philadelphia needed to close out the win.

76ers move on

With the victory, the 76ers advance to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Game 1 is set for Monday night in New York, as Philadelphia looks to carry its momentum forward after one of the most significant wins in franchise history.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to check out the latest episode of the OutOfSightSports YouTube series below for more coverage, analysis, and the latest updates across the sports world.

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