The Boston Celtics‘ 2026 playoff run ended quicker than expected. As the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed was knocked out by the Philadelphia 76ers in round one, the Golden State Warriors‘ star Draymond Green believes it’s worth questioning if we’ve seen the end of the Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum era.
On a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, the star forward asked and answered the burning topic out in Boston.
Draymond Green Dishes Thoughts On Brown-Tatum
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 29: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown #7 look on in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden on April 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
“Is it the end of the Jaylen Brown–Jayson Tatum era? I would say no,” Green said.
“I don’t think it’s the end of their era. Look at the success they had this year with Jayson Tatum out most of the year, and then with Jayson Tatum coming back and them having success, ultimately getting ahead to a 3-1 lead. Obviously, they squandered the lead away, but you got right where you wanted to be.”
The Celtics Were Successful–Believe It Or Not
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 17: Head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on January 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Don’t forget how the season was supposed to go for Boston.
Most analysts and fans called it a gap year. Jayson Tatum was out of the mix-up until March, as he recovered from a torn Achilles. Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford, all key pieces to the recent title team, moved on.
Some went as far as saying the Celtics should tank and bring Tatum back for next season. Clearly, the Celtics did enough early on to warrant allowing the star forward to make his way back in the spring ahead of the playoff run.
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown #7 laugh together during the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at TD Garden on February 23, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 118-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Celtics didn’t have a gap year–they had a shocking one. Finishing No. 2 in the East with a 56-26 record, they realized that Jaylen Brown could play at an MVP level without Tatum and still coexist with him.
Blowing a 3-1 lead is obviously a tough look. Green and the Warriors have been in that position before, but it didn’t lead to massive core changes in the short-term. The Celtics know they can win with the Tatum-Brown combo. Unless one of them wants it to end, the Celtics likely aren’t going to make any drastic changes on that front, as Green predicts.