After an unexpectedly long offseason filled with talk of second aprons, Achilles tendons and roster resets, the 2025-26 Boston Celtics will take the court for the first time Wednesday night in Memphis,
A rundown of players to watch in the Celtics’ preseason opener against the Grizzlies could include nearly the entire roster, since almost every Boston player is either new to the franchise or preparing for a more prominent and pressure-packed role this season.
But here are five to keep a particularly close eye on as the C’s exhibition schedule tips off at 8 p.m.:
Jaylen Brown (No. 7)
The Celtics are Brown’s team for the foreseeable future.
With longtime co-star Jayson Tatum working his way back from Achilles surgery, Brown now is Boston’s undisputed No. 1 option for the first time in his decade-long NBA career. How he approaches that role — replacing Tatum’s scoring, playmaking and rebounding abilities while also not trying to win games by himself — will be one of the most compelling storylines of this Celtics season.
Wednesday also will be Brown’s first game action since he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus this summer. That knee issue hindered him for the final three months of last season, tanking his shooting numbers and forcing him to retool his playing style. He’s been a full participant in training camp, and said his reintegration has been “pretty seamless,” but how will he look in a game setting? Like his usual self, or still working his way back to peak form?
With far less proven depth on their roster this season, the Celtics badly need Brown to stay healthy and available.
Anfernee Simons (No. 4)
Payton Pritchard seems to be Jrue Holiday’s likely replacement in the starting lineup, but Simons should see plenty of playing time. A 20-point-per-game scorer over his three seasons as a full-time starter in Portland, the most proven of Boston’s offseason additions brings explosive offensive potential and a strong track record of high-volume 3-point shooting.
Something Simons did not provide during his time with the Trail Blazers was capable defense. He’s been a minus at that end throughout his career.
Since arriving in Boston via the Holiday trade, Simons has had what he called “honest conversations” with Joe Mazzulla about his defensive shortcomings, including the head coach “talk(ing) smack” and challenging him in training camp. Mazzulla views it as a matter of effort and desire, Simons said, and has told the 6-foot-3 guard that he’s “not as bad as people think.”
The Celtics are without two of their top three scorers from last season in Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis, so Simons’ ability to pile up points should be helpful. But he’ll need to prove to Mazzulla — who often praises Pritchard’s improvement as a two-way player — that he can hold his own as a defender.
Neemias Queta (No. 88)
Any list of the most important players on this Celtics team has to include Queta, who now headlines a depleted frontcourt that lost its top three options this offseason.
The departures of Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet propelled the Portuguese 7-footer from fourth to first on Boston’s depth chart at center, setting him up for what should be by far the heaviest workload of his NBA career. Queta had a handful of standout performances last season — his first that did not include any stints in the G League — and is coming off an encouraging showing at EuroBasket 2025. But consistency has been an issue for the 26-year-old, who’s often found himself in Mazzulla’s doghouse.
Queta isn’t the only Boston big man with something to prove. Free agent signees Luka Garza and Chris Boucher both said the opportunity for more playing time was what drew them to Boston, and returning end-of-the-bench reserve Xavier Tillman also expects to be in the mix more often this season.
Josh Minott (No. 8)
The pickup who generated the least buzz this offseason? Probably Minott, who played sparingly during his three seasons in Minnesota (5.0 minutes per game across 93 appearances) and, unlike fellow Timberwolves import Garza, was not a superstar in college.
The rangy 22-year-old offers a mix of length and athleticism, however, that could make him an asset a Boston transitions to its new push-the-pace approach. Teammates have called the 6-foot-8 forward “a pest” in training camp, and Minott said he “might be the fastest (player) on the team.”
Celtics players have made clear since camp began that the team plans to play faster on offense and more aggressively on defense. Though he’s never been much of a scoring threat, Minott has a chance to carve out a role as a defensive-minded energizer off the bench.
Hugo Gonzalez (No. 28)
Speaking of energizers, that’s what the Celtics want Gonzalez to be in whatever minutes he’s able to earn this season. Boston’s first-round draft pick isn’t likely to crack Mazzulla’s rotation immediately, but Wednesday will provide an early glimpse at how the 19-year-old Spaniard stacks up against legitimate NBA competition.
Gonzalez lived up to his pre-draft scouting report in Summer League, showing potential as a high-motor disruptor and cutter while shooting the ball erratically. Three months later, his adjustment to the American style of basketball and the Celtics’ system remains a work in progress.
Pritchard recently said Gonzalez is “definitely going to be a really good player eventually,” but what is he now? Can he keep up with the speed and talent of the NBA game? Could he be an occasional contributor this fall and winter, or does he need to develop in the G League first? We’ll find out this preseason.
