Celtics Eye Back-To-Back Glory As Playoffs Begin

The Southern African phrase “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” meaning “a person is a person through other people,” embodies more than just a proverb. It represents a way of life, known as Ubuntu. This philosophy found its way into the Boston Celtics’ locker room in 2008, thanks to Kita “Thierry” Matungulu, who was a member of the coaching staff at the time and is now the Director of Basketball Operations for NBA Africa. It evolved beyond a motto; it became the heartbeat of the Celtics’ championship run, marking their first title in over two decades. Today, that heartbeat still echoes in Boston. The 2024/25 Celtics don’t say Ubuntu every day, but they operate as a team that understands it deeply. Less than a year after lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Boston is ready to demonstrate what sustained greatness looks like.

As the Celtics enter the playoffs, the pressure to defend their title is looming. After a dominant season, the team’s resolve is tested by the unique challenge of going back-to-back. The defending NBA champions secured the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the opening round. Despite the pressure, Head Coach Joe Mazulla and his players, including Latvian center Kristaps Porziņģis, remain focused on the opportunity ahead. They discussed their mindset going into the playoffs during a Zoom call with Forbes.com and other select media on Tuesday.

Boston Eyes Another Banner

The Celtics understand how challenging it is to defend a championship. Mazulla explained, “Every year presents different challenges. It’s not so much about the past but about the present moment. You can’t predict the challenges, but you can control how you respond to them. This year’s team has done a great job developing new identities, and we’re ready for whatever comes our way in the playoffs.”

Mazulla acknowledged that defending a title involves not just facing external competition but meeting high expectations from within the team and the city. “It’s part of what makes this place special. It’s the expectation of greatness. That’s why we play the game,” he said, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the present and building on the foundation they’ve established. Porziņģis echoed this forward-focused mentality, saying, “We’re not defending a championship; we’re just trying to win another one. We won one last year and now we have the opportunity to make history, to win two in a row.”

Orlando Brings a Physical Test

The Celtics open their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, marking their first postseason meeting since 2010. Over a decade ago, Orlando won the 2009 series in seven games, but Boston got the upper hand in 2010 on its way to the NBA Finals. This season, the Celtics and Magic met three times, with Orlando winning two of those matchups. However, Jayson Tatum didn’t play in either of Boston’s losses.

Despite their dominant season, the Celtics aren’t taking their first-round opponents lightly. The Magic have quietly become one of the best defensive units in the league, finishing the regular season ranked No. 1 in defensive rating. Their size and length in the front court, led by Wendell Carter Jr., Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner, give them a physical edge that could disrupt Boston’s offensive rhythm. Mazulla noted, “Orlando presents challenges on both ends of the floor. They have a level of physicality that they can get to, and they are tough on the boards and in the paint. Defensively, they’re capable of forcing turnovers, which makes them a tough matchup.”

Porziņģis, who has been key to Boston’s defence this season, said, “Orlando is a hard-playing team with dangerous offensive players. They’re going to come at us with physicality and intensity, and we can’t underestimate them. We have to stay focused on the game.”

For Boston, the key will be sticking to what they’ve done best: dominating from beyond the arc. The Celtics led the league in three-pointers attempted and made for the second consecutive year. They racked up 61 wins during the regular season, giving them back-to-back 60-win campaigns for the fourth time in franchise history. The Magic, with their young talent, will certainly test Boston’s resolve. Mazulla’s approach is clear: no opponent should be underestimated. “We have to show them respect but stay aggressive,” he said.

When Fundamentals Rule

In the high-stakes playoffs, it can be tempting to focus on major adjustments, game plans aimed at countering an opponent’s strengths. However, for Mazulla, success is rooted in something more fundamental. Reflecting on the evolution of each playoff series, he explained, “It’s easy to focus on the adjustments. But winning a preseason game, a regular season game, a playoff game is the same.”

While every series may call for tweaks based on matchups, the foundation remains unchanged. “Every series takes on a life of its own. Every series calls for small tweaks depending on the matchup and the identity of the other team,” Mazulla said. Even in this dynamic environment, the core principles of basketball specifically, the discipline of executing fundamental plays and maintaining team cohesion define success.

This balance of concentrating on the essentials while also adapting to the demands of each series has been a key element of Boston’s playoff strategy. Mazulla emphasized, “You can’t be blinded by the details. The fundamentals come first.”

Celtics Basketball Speaks for Itself

The Celtics have built their identity around a style of play rooted in unselfishness, hustle, and a collective desire to elevate the team above individual accolades. This “Celtics basketball” is not just a style of play but a philosophy. “When four or five guys touch the ball, and we get a big shot, like D-White [Derrick White] hitting a corner three or Payton [Pritchard] knocking one down at the end of a game, that’s when we know we’re playing Celtics basketball,” Porziņģis said.

Mazulla shares the same sentiment, acknowledging that this is more than just a style, it’s a philosophy that runs deep within the organization. “It’s about being the hardest-working team on the court,” he said. “When we’re playing with that intensity, diving for loose balls, getting extra possessions, that’s the Celtics’ identity. No matter how talented we are, it’s that gritty mentality that makes us who we are.”

This identity extends beyond the court. Players hold each other accountable, push each other to improve, and strive for greatness. It’s a culture that permeates the entire franchise, from the front office to the locker room. Mazulla explained, “The culture here is built on guys who are willing to do whatever it takes to win. It’s not about scoring 30 points every night; it’s about making the right play, playing the right way, and doing what’s best for the team.”

Reflecting on Ubuntu, Mazulla shared, “That word has definitely been lived and used. It’s not just about basketball; it’s a way of life. It’s understanding that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. For one person to be great, everyone around them has to be great. That’s the strength of the Celtics organization.”

Kristaps Porziņģis: Overcoming A Slow Start To The Season

For Kristaps Porziņģis, this season has been one of growth and adaptation. After overcoming injuries and missing the start of the season, Porziņģis has seamlessly reclaimed his spot as a key player for the Celtics. In the 2024-25 regular season, he averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 48.3%. “It hasn’t been easy,” he admitted. “There were challenges, like coming off injury, but I’ve learned to adapt and get back into rhythm. I’m healthy now, and that’s the most important thing.”

However, the road to a 61-win record wasn’t smooth. Early in the season, Porziņģis noted that the Celtics sometimes resembled a “house cat rather than a lion.” At times, they lacked the ferocity they had in their championship-winning season. But as the season progressed, they regained their “lion-like” mentality. “We’ve started to look like a different animal again, especially towards the end of the year,” Porziņģis said. “We’re playing some of the best basketball in the league, and we want to bring that momentum into the playoffs.”

While the Celtics hold the record for most NBA titles (18), they haven’t repeated since the 1968/69 season. As they head into the playoffs, the team is ready to defend their title and prove their championship run was no fluke. With a talented roster, a dedicated coaching staff, and a strong team culture, the Celtics are set to take the next step in their quest for back-to-back titles.