The Boston Celtics squandered an early 17-point lead in Sunday’s 119-113 road loss to the Detroit Pistons. The letdown dropped Boston to 0-3 for the first time since the 2013-14 NBA season, the last time it missed the playoffs, prompting Celtics fans to accuse their team of tanking, with Jayson Tatum still recovering from, his Achilles injury.
After losing all their top big men over the offseason (Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet), Boston was expected to lean heavily into its outside shooting until Tatum’s return. It had the edge from downtown against Detroit, going 15-for-45 (33.3%) compared to the Pistons’ 9-for-34 mark (26.5%). Still, the Celtics were once again unable to contain their opponents, allowing 30 second-chance points.
Boston was outscored 70-48 across the second and third quarters, enabling Detroit to take a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame. Celtics star Jaylen Brown’s game-high 41-point performance ultimately went to waste as his squad couldn’t complete its late-game comeback.
Celtics Fans Sound Off on Team’s Potential Tanking Bid Amid Abysmal 0-3 Start
Following Boston’s latest defensive woes, its fan base took to X and intensified tanking discussions. Many even embraced the possibility of the franchise gunning for a high pick in what is projected to be a stacked 2026 draft class.
“LFG! Tank is still on!!” one fan said.
“Now im starting to think we tanking for AJ [Dybantsa],” another speculated.
Now im starting to think we tanking for aj pic.twitter.com/co0oVL8BBM
— luvmesomejaybros 🍀🍀 (@simplybeingme9) October 26, 2025
“High Pick incoming!” one user exclaimed.
High Pick incoming!
— A-Marte (@Axrm830) October 26, 2025
“Tank FC is 3-0 to start the year,” another quipped.
Tank FC is 3-0 to start the year https://t.co/soTtcJON3t pic.twitter.com/kMSnnU5wN6
— Adam☘️ (@CelticsAdam34) October 26, 2025
“Brad [Stevens] didn’t address the frontcourt this offseason for a reason,” one fan captioned an army tank GIF.
“We love a competitive L,” another chimed in.
we love a competitive L pic.twitter.com/acLMmEiBny
— john (@JohnAGv1) October 26, 2025
Given the Celtics’ lack of a starting-caliber center, they could be in store for a long season on the boards. They were outrebounded 55-38 on Sunday, with Pistons starters Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson corralling 30 rebounds alone. That, combined with Boston’s lack of defensive resistance in the paint, may make it tough to stay afloat in Tatum’s absence.
Boston is reportedly cautiously optimistic about the six-time All-Star making a late-season comeback. However, if the organization finds itself in the thick of the lottery post-trade deadline, it will have to weigh its best course of action.
The 2026 draft class features three top-tier prospects in Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. If the Celtics land one of them, it could alter the trajectory of their franchise and set them up for years of title contention, assuming Tatum returns to form.
