Kendrick Perkins Stamps Celtics as Eastern Conference Champions

ESPN analyst believes Boston's duo of Tatum and Brown will lead them to the NBA Finals

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins believes the Boston Celtics will represent the Eastern Conference in the 2023 NBA Finals. Perkins cited the strong play of Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who led the team to the championship in 2024, as the reason he is confident in the Celtics' ability to make another deep playoff run this season.

Why it matters

The Celtics are one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference, which is widely considered to be deeper and more competitive than in recent years. Perkins' endorsement of the Celtics as the team to beat in the East adds to the growing hype and expectations surrounding the team as they look to return to the NBA Finals.

The details

The Celtics recently defeated the Phoenix Suns in a close home game, led by a 41-point performance from Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum is also rounding into form after returning from an Achilles injury. Perkins believes this duo has the playoff experience and talent to lead the Celtics back to the championship round, despite the presence of other strong teams in the East like the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.

  • The Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Kendrick Perkins

A former NBA player who is currently an analyst for ESPN.

Jayson Tatum

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who is returning from an Achilles injury.

Jaylen Brown

A star guard for the Boston Celtics who led the team to the NBA championship in 2024.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Boston Celtics are coming out of the Eastern Conference. … The way that Jayson Tatum has looked since returning from that Achilles injury… I'm looking at [them] and I'm saying this duo right here is proven.”

— Kendrick Perkins, ESPN NBA Analyst (First Take)

The takeaway

Kendrick Perkins' endorsement of the Boston Celtics as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference this season adds to the growing hype and expectations surrounding the team as they look to return to the NBA Finals. With their star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way, the Celtics appear poised to make another deep playoff run and potentially capture their second championship in three years.