As the city of Boston prepares for the start of the NBA playoffs on Saturday, the Boston Celtics are doing the same. After wrapping up their final practice Saturday afternoon in preparation for Sunday’s Game 1 against the Miami Heat, the team seems primed for a deep run after their dominant regular season.

It’s not surprising to see Miami as Boston’s first-round opponent, as the two will square off in the postseason for the fourth time in the past five years. Despite falling behind 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Heat last season, the Celtics surged to tie the series, only to lose in devastating fashion in Game 7 on their home floor. Boston hopes that history doesn’t repeat itself this season, but the players appear much more focused at the task at hand this time around.

In the minutes following the Game 7 loss to Miami a season ago, Celtics players were dejected and at a loss for words. They knew that they failed to get over the hump once again after reaching the 2022 NBA Finals and falling short.

However, last summer, Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations, sought to make changes to the core of the team. He first dealt Marcus Smart—a player who was considered the backbone of the group and beloved by the fanbase—in a trade that involved Kristaps Porzingis. Just months later, Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon were shipped to Portland in exchange for Jrue Holiday. Both Porzingis and Holiday have been instrumental to Boston’s success this season, and they’ll be tasked with carrying that success into the playoffs.

Earlier this month, Stevens and owner Wyc Grousbeck, along with the rest of the Celtics’ ownership group came to terms on an agreement with Jrue Holiday on a four-year, $135 million contract extension (NBA.com). Holiday’s professionalism and unwavered commitment to winning has been vital to the league-leading 64-18 regular season record that Boston was able to accomplish.

A true test of mental fortitude and toughness

One of the many Celtics players who was visibly impacted by the Game 7 loss to Miami was Jaylen Brown. In his postgame press conference, Brown stated, “We let the whole city down” (bostonglobe.com). The distraught Brown later explained, “I came up short—I failed” (celticsblog.com).

This was a game in which Jayson Tatum sprained his ankle in the first half, and clearly wasn’t playing at the same level that Boston grew accustomed to seeing him perform at over the years. Brown’s accountability was absolutely overshadowed in the midst of disappointment from the team and the fanbase after the loss.

Furthermore, this is a new Celtics team, and fans can only hope that the remaining core has learned from its past playoff blunders. After Saturday’s practice, Brown vocalized, “I knew it was gonna be Miami” “I knew it from a few weeks back. But just coming from last year to this year, it just makes sense. So, we’re looking forward to it. It should be a great challenge. Miami is a tough team, well-coached, play hard, they’re physical; all the stuff that we need to emphasize. So, it should be fun.” (si.com). In yet another playoff clash between Miami and Boston, Brown seems ready to make an immediate impact on the series.

What is truly at stake?

As the series begins on Sunday, there’s one major storyline: the status of Miami’s Jimmy Butler. In Wednesday’s play-in game, a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Butler injured his right MCL in the first quarter. Although he was miraculously able to play the rest of the game, he wasn’t effective in much capacity for his team. Butler is expected to be out for several weeks, including the entirety of the series against Boston. It’s a massive blow for Miami, who counts on Butler’s passion and energy to help them win playoff games, especially on the road.

Butler’s injury contributes to all the more reason for Boston needing to increase its level of focus not only at the start of the series, but to not play down to an opponent that’s without its best player throughout the series, as well.

It’s even more important for Boston to not look too far ahead. While there are other playoff teams in the Eastern Conference that are dealing with injuries—similar to Miami—the Celtics must keep their eye on what’s in front of them in the moment.

In a pivotal postseason for the Boston Celtics, their fans have the same mindset that the entire organization has—bringing an 18th championship banner to the city of Boston.