NBA East midseason grades: Pistons lead, Celtics strong without Tatum

Cbssports reports that at the halfway mark of the 2025-26 NBA season — with teams hitting the 41-game mark — it graded all 15 Eastern Conference teams, identifying the Detroit Pistons atop the East and placing the Boston Celtics in the A tier.

The Pistons are 28-10 and praised for one of the league's best defenses and a +6.8 net rating, while the Celtics (24-15) have impressed without Jayson Tatum, with Jaylen Brown described as playing at an MVP level. Other notable midseason assessments include the Knicks (25-15, B) slipping recently and facing concerns about the Brunson‑Towns defensive pairing, the Cavaliers (23-19, C) being inconsistent and poor in clutch games, and the Hawks (20-22, C) dealing with Kristaps Porziņģis' limited availability after a Trae Young salary‑dump trade.

As the season moves into its second half, several teams face roster decisions: the Hawks' deadline plans are unclear, the Bucks are said to be active on the trade front, the Pacers are focused on draft positioning, and Boston's ceiling may depend on Tatum's return and whether the Celtics add more creation or size.

Key Topics

Sports, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Trae Young