Boston Celtics Face High-Stakes Moment with $500M Payroll and 0-2 Playoff Hole.
Fresh off winning their record-setting 18th NBA championship last season, the Boston Celtics looked poised to establish a new dynasty. With six Eastern Conference Finals appearances in the past eight years and a trip to the NBA Finals in 2022, the team had all the markings of a perennial powerhouse. Star duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown—each boasting contracts that could surpass $300 million—were leading the charge, and the Celtics began the 2024-25 season as heavy favorites to repeat.
Their dominant five-game series win over the Orlando Magic in the first round only reinforced that belief.
But now, after blowing fourth-quarter leads in back-to-back games against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston finds itself in unfamiliar and unsettling territory: down 0-2 in the series and headed to a hostile Madison Square Garden.
In both losses, the Celtics squandered 20-point leads. They entered the final quarters with seemingly safe cushions—nine points in Game 1, 12 in Game 2—but couldn’t close the deal. The Knicks, led by tenacious defense and clutch moments, including a critical Mikal Bridges steal in each game’s final minutes, stormed back to steal both contests.
It’s not that the Celtics were thoroughly outplayed. A few different decisions or made shots could have swung either game in their favor. But the fact remains: they’re now in a deep hole that puts their season—and future—on the brink.
Off the court, the stakes are just as high.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on First Take, “They’re the most expensive sports team in the history of the game. That’s what’s on the line…if they don’t get out of this series, I don’t know how you can justify spending $500 million on the roster again.”
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The numbers are staggering. Factoring in luxury tax penalties, next year’s payroll is projected to hit $460 million—without including upcoming draft picks or roster tweaks. At the heart of that payroll: Tatum and Brown. Tatum’s new $314 million contract extension begins next season, with $54.1 million due in 2025-26. Brown, already in the first year of his $285.3 million guaranteed deal (which could rise to $304 million), is also owed $54.1 million next year.
The salary obligations don’t stop there. Jrue Holiday is set to earn $32.4 million, Kristaps Porziņģis $30.7 million, and Derrick White $28.1 million. Altogether, that’s over $200 million for just five players.
Even with another championship run, keeping this core intact for another year would be a monumental financial challenge. Without a deep playoff run—or another title—it becomes nearly impossible to justify.
For Boston, the next few games will likely determine more than just this season’s fate. They could shape the team’s entire future—on the court and on the books.
Despite the pressure of a historic payroll and an 0-2 series deficit, the Celtics are not done yet. Their roster is battle-tested, loaded with talent, and led by stars who have delivered when it matters most. This team has shown resilience before, and now they must do it again. A comeback against the Knicks could reassert their dominance and bring Boston closer to validating their massive investment. Regardless of what happens, the Celtics have built a winning culture—one that fans can believe in, even amid uncertainty.
