The Boston Celtics are stepping into NBA 2K26 amid a whirlwind of change, fresh off their 2024 NBA championship but battered by the harsh realities of the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Over the past two offseasons, the team has offloaded key talent like Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday in what resembles a fire sale, all to navigate the CBA’s punishing financial layers. Adding insult to injury, superstar Jayson Tatum is sidelined for the bulk of the season due to a nagging injury. Yet, somehow, the game’s player ratings paint a picture of a roster frozen in time—untouched by these seismic shifts.
Sure, the Celtics still boast playoff potential, anchored by the dynamic duo of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. But 2K26’s assessments feel wildly disconnected from the team’s current trajectory. Overrated stars loom large, while unsung heroes get shortchanged. Let’s dive into the mismatches and unpack why these ratings are straight-up baffling.
Jayson Tatum (94 OVR): A Star Rating for a Phantom Player
Jayson Tatum’s elite status is undeniable—he’s a two-way force, perennial All-NBA talent, and the engine of Boston’s offense. In isolation, a 94 overall rating fits like a glove. But context is king, and here’s where 2K drops the ball: Tatum’s injury recovery means he’ll miss 60+ games this season.
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In the real world, a franchise player’s prolonged absence reshapes everything—from team chemistry to win projections. Yet 2K treats him as if he’s suiting up every night, propping up the Celtics’ virtual roster with a near-elite score that ignores his real-life invisibility. For a squad built around Tatum’s brilliance, this rating inflates expectations and masks the gaping void at the top. It’s not just overrated; it’s out of touch with the gritty NBA grind.
Derrick White (87 OVR): The Underrated Glue Guy Deserving Elite Status
If there’s one player embodying Boston’s resilience, it’s Derrick White—the consummate two-way guard who quietly elevates everyone around him. Last season, he was arguably the Celtics’ second-most impactful contributor, blending lockdown defense, timely shot-making, and subtle playmaking that filled voids left by struggling stars. His advanced metrics screamed All-Star potential, consistently ranking among the league’s best.
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So why is he stuck at an 87 OVR? This feels like a slap in the face. With Tatum out and Holiday traded away, White steps up as the de facto leader, holding the fort on both ends. He deserves a bump into the low 90s, recognizing him as more than a “solid role player”—he’s the heartbeat of this revamped roster. 2K’s underrating here robs fans of the chance to experience White’s true dominance in the game.
Jaylen Brown (90 OVR): Solid on Paper, But Missing the Big-Picture Boost
Jaylen Brown’s 90 OVR isn’t a total miss—his explosive finishing, tenacious defense, and championship pedigree justify it. But ratings don’t exist in a bubble, and this one skimps on the evolving narrative. With Tatum on the mend and new additions like Anfernee Simons better suited as scorers than creators, Brown is poised to shoulder an unprecedented offensive burden.
This season could define his legacy, demanding amplified playmaking and shot-creation skills to keep Boston afloat. Yet 2K keeps him pigeonholed in his familiar archetype, without the subtle upgrades that reflect his expanded role. It’s fair enough at first glance, but dig deeper, and it lacks the nuance to capture Brown’s make-or-break campaign.
Anfernee Simons (81 OVR): Scoring Flash Without the Fit
Anfernee Simons is a certified bucket-getter, torching defenses with high-efficiency isolation and pick-and-roll wizardry. An 81 OVR nods to his raw scoring prowess, but slotted into Boston’s ecosystem? It’s a glaring overinflation.
The Celtics, post-Holiday and Porziņģis, crave defense, size, and versatile playmaking—areas where Simons falls short. On a wing-heavy roster, his one-dimensional style clashes more than it complements, making him a risky starter on a contender. This rating suggests seamless integration, but in reality, he’s a square peg in a round hole, diminishing his on-court value for this specific team.
Sam Hauser (78 OVR): The Sharpshooting Sniper Getting Snubbed
In an era where spacing reigns supreme, Sam Hauser stands out as one of the NBA’s premier volume three-point assassins, drilling 41% from deep on significant attempts last season. His gravity alone warps defenses, creating opportunities for teammates.
Yet 2K slaps him with a pedestrian 78 OVR and a generic archetype that undervalues his specialty. Compare that to peers like Duncan Robinson or Kevin Huerter, who hover in the low 80s despite inferior efficiency. With Boston’s roster thinned out, Hauser’s role as a spacing savior is magnified—he should be pushing 82-83 OVR to mirror his outsized impact. This underrating is a head-scratcher in a game that should celebrate elite specialists.
Neemias Queta (76 OVR): Backup Hype That Doesn’t Hold Up
Neemias Queta brings intriguing physicality, rebounding tenacity, and rim protection in spot minutes, but a 76 OVR? That’s pumping up a fringe contributor into something more substantial. He’s typically a third-string big, unproven in extended stints against top-tier centers.
For perspective, proven vets like Chris Boucher—a playoff-tested stretch big—sit at just 79 OVR. Queta’s rating edging close to that territory (or even Hauser’s) screams inconsistency. It’s an overrate that inflates a role player’s stock without the resume to back it.
Baylor Scheierman (71 OVR): Rookie Gem Buried in the Bench
Drafted out of Creighton as a polished prospect, Baylor Scheierman enters the league with a tantalizing toolkit: 6-foot-7 size, sharpshooting touch, ball-handling finesse, and rebounding instincts. He’s NBA-ready from day one, especially on a depth-challenged Celtics squad.
But 2K26 dismisses him as a 71 OVR afterthought, underselling his immediate rotational upside. In a thin roster craving multi-faceted wings, Scheierman’s potential screams for a 74-75 OVR slot. This lowball rating ignores the rookie’s polish and the golden opportunity awaiting him in Boston.
The Bigger Picture: 2K’s Blind Spot on Boston’s Rebuild
At its core, NBA 2K26’s Celtics ratings cling to echoes of a bygone dynasty, overlooking the CBA-fueled roster purge, Tatum’s absence, and the rising stars like White and Hauser stepping into the spotlight. This isn’t the juggernaut that steamrolled the East two years ago—it’s a team in flux, fighting to stay relevant.
By failing to adapt, 2K hands fans a virtual squad that shines brighter than its real-life counterpart. Celtics faithful deserve ratings that capture the drama, the grit, and the uncertainty. Until then, hitting the court in 2K feels like playing pretend—fun, but far from the truth.