The Boston Celtics are officially on the move.
Friday nightâs 140â122 win over the Indiana Pacers opened Bostonâs longest road trip of the season, a five-game swing away from TD Garden that will take them across the West Coast. The trip begins Sunday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. The Celtics will look to carry momentum while continuing to lean into a rotation that has stabilized faster than expected.
As Boston prepares for the opening leg, the latest injury report brings clarity rather than disruption.
Celtics Remain Short-Handed in Frontcourt
Veteran Chris Boucher remains out due to personal reasons and will not be available as the Celtics open their West Coast trip.
Boucher also missed Fridayâs win in Indiana, though his absence has not meaningfully altered Bostonâs nightly rotation. While most fans anticipated a larger role for the veteran this season, opportunities have been limited as the roster has taken shape.
Much of that has come down to the emergence of younger pieces for Boston. Josh Minott, Jordan Walsh, and Hugo Gonzalez have all earned trust through defensive intensity, versatility, and consistent energy. Their development has reduced the need for additional frontcourt minutes.
Recently, Luka Garza has also provided a steady spark off the bench, offering physicality and scoring touch in short bursts. Collectively, that depth has allowed Boston to absorb Boucherâs absence without forcing adjustments.
Celtics Carry Momentum Into Portland
Boston arrives on the West Coast playing some of the most efficient basketball the league has ever seen.
The Celtics have won four straight games and now sit at 19â11, good for third place in the Eastern Conference. Beyond the win-loss record, the underlying numbers reinforce how sustainable this stretch has been.
Boston currently owns the third-most efficient offense in NBA history, averaging 1.214 points per possession. They also rank fourth in net rating, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets.
That efficiency has shown up consistently, not just in scoring totals but in how the Celtics control games. Shot quality. Ball movement. Defensive balance. The margins have widened as the season has progressed.
Jaylen Brown Closes In on Franchise History
As Boston opens the trip in Portland, Jaylen Brown carries more than momentum with him.
Brown enters Sundayâs matchup having scored 30 or more points in eight straight games, placing him one game away from tying Larry Birdâs franchise record of nine consecutive 30-point performances. Bird set the mark during the 1985 season, a benchmark that has stood untouched for decades.
If Brown reaches the mark in Portland, it would place his name alongside one of the most enduring standards in Celtics history.
Final Word for the Celtics
The Celtics enter Portland looking for their fifth straight.
Chris Boucherâs continued absence reflects how much the roster has evolved, with young pieces stepping forward and depth solidifying around them. At the same time, Jaylen Brown carries both form and opportunity into Portland, one game away from tying a franchise record untouched for nearly 40 years.
Boston has handled change well so far. Now comes the challenge of sustaining elite play across time zones, unfamiliar arenas, and rising expectations.
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