The Boston Celtics 2016–17 were led by Isaiah Thomas, whose scoring and playmaking powered the offense, while Al Horford provided versatile frontcourt production through passing, rebounding, and interior defense. Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder supplied complementary scoring and strong perimeter defense, with Marcus Smart adding secondary playmaking and defensive intensity. The roster emphasized balanced ball movement, efficient perimeter play, and disciplined team defense across a deep rotation.
Undersized scoring guard who became one of the league’s most dangerous fourth-quarter weapons. Boston’s offense revolved around his pull-up shooting, rim attacks and foul drawing, and his 28.9 points per game powered the franchise to the East’s top seed.
NBA All-Star 2017, All-NBA Second Team 2017, MVP 5th Place 2017
Al Horford
Starter/Star
32.3
Medium
14.0
6.8
5.0
2.1
67.40
Cerebral two-way center who connected every part of Boston’s system. His passing, floor spacing and defensive communication allowed the Celtics to play a modern style built around versatility and ball movement.
NBA All-Star 2017, NBA All-Defensive Second Team 2017, DPOY 5th Place 2017
Avery Bradley
Starter/Star
33.4
Medium
16.3
6.1
2.2
1.4
62.68
Reliable two-way guard who blended perimeter defense with improved scoring punch. He frequently handled difficult backcourt assignments while also stretching defenses with efficient outside shooting.
Jae Crowder
Starter/Star
32.4
Medium
13.9
5.8
2.2
1.3
56.63
Rugged wing who thrived as a complementary piece next to higher-usage teammates. His three-point shooting, switchability and willingness to defend bigger players made him a central part of Boston’s identity.
Marcus Smart
Key Contributor
30.4
Medium
10.6
3.9
4.6
2.0
48.74
Defensive playmaker who often impacted games without needing shots. His toughness at the point of attack, passing and ability to guard multiple positions helped Boston maintain intensity regardless of lineup combinations.
Kelly Olynyk
Key Contributor
20.5
Medium
9.0
4.8
2.0
1.0
38.81
Skilled stretch big whose offensive versatility created matchup problems. He could space the floor, put the ball on the deck and keep the offense flowing with quick decisions from the frontcourt.
Amir Johnson
Key Contributor
20.1
Low
6.5
4.6
1.8
1.4
30.03
Low-usage interior forward who focused on screening, rim protection and rebounding. Much of his value came from doing the subtle work that allowed Boston’s perimeter players to operate freely.
Jaylen Brown
Key Contributor
17.2
Low
6.6
2.8
0.8
0.6
22.68
Athletic rookie wing who flashed the tools that would later make him a star. His role was limited, but his transition scoring, defensive energy and physical profile stood out immediately.
NBA Rookie of the Year 8th Place 2017
Terry Rozier
Key Contributor
17.1
Low
5.5
3.1
1.8
0.7
23.31
Energetic reserve guard who brought pace whenever he entered the game. His rebounding from the point guard position and willingness to push the ball gave the second unit extra life.
Gerald Green
Bench
11.4
Low
5.6
1.8
0.7
0.3
16.80
Microwave scorer who returned to Boston and provided instant offense in short bursts. His athleticism and confidence as a shooter helped swing momentum off the bench at times.
Jonas Jerebko
Bench
15.8
Low
3.8
3.5
0.9
0.5
17.40
Hustle forward who filled a variety of supporting roles throughout the season. He spaced the floor, battled on the glass and provided dependable effort in limited touches.
Tyler Zeller
Bench
10.3
Low
3.5
2.4
0.8
0.5
14.40
Traditional backup center who supplied depth in the frontcourt. His contributions largely came around the rim as a finisher and rebounder.
James Young
Bench
7.6
Low
2.3
0.9
0.1
0.4
7.40
Developmental wing who showed occasional shooting flashes but remained outside the regular rotation for most of the year.
Demetrius Jackson
Bench
3.4
Low
2.0
0.8
0.6
0.0
6.80
Young guard who saw only brief NBA action. His limited opportunities mostly came in short reserve appearances late in games.
Jordan Mickey
Bench
5.6
Low
1.5
1.4
0.3
0.3
7.00
Athletic reserve big who offered energy and shot-blocking potential in small doses. His role remained developmental throughout the season.
TEAM TOTALS
240.9
108.0
42.0
25.2
11.6
521.43
Boston finished 53-29 and earned the Eastern Conference’s top seed behind Isaiah Thomas’ elite scoring, a deep defensive rotation and a balanced system that maximized versatile two-way contributors across the roster.
Ball-dominant scoring guard who carried Boston’s offense through multiple playoff rounds. Even while facing aggressive traps and physical coverage, he remained the team’s primary creator, blending pull-up shooting, drives and playmaking into 23.3 points and 6.7 assists per game.
NBA All-Star 2017, All-NBA Second Team 2017, MVP 5th Place 2017
Al Horford
Starter/Star
33.9
Medium
15.1
6.6
5.4
1.6
69.58
Playmaking center who arguably became Boston’s most complete postseason performer. His ability to facilitate offense, defend in space and stretch the floor gave the Celtics answers against a variety of playoff matchups.
NBA All-Star 2017, NBA All-Defensive Second Team 2017, DPOY 5th Place 2017
Avery Bradley
Starter/Star
35.8
Medium
16.7
3.9
2.3
1.5
59.77
Two-way shooting guard who balanced difficult defensive assignments with timely scoring. Boston leaned on his perimeter shooting and mid-range game whenever defenses focused heavily on Isaiah Thomas.
Jae Crowder
Starter/Star
33.1
Medium
13.6
6.4
2.7
1.4
58.32
Physical wing whose versatility helped Boston maintain lineup flexibility throughout the playoffs. He contributed as a floor spacer, rebounder and multi-position defender while rarely needing the ball to be effective.
Marcus Smart
Key Contributor
29.9
Medium
8.6
4.7
4.7
2.4
47.74
Defensive catalyst who regularly changed momentum with hustle plays and disruptive defense. His offensive efficiency fluctuated, but his rebounding, passing and toughness were central to Boston’s playoff identity.
Kelly Olynyk
Key Contributor
19.2
Medium
9.2
3.2
1.9
1.5
36.27
Skilled stretch big who supplied valuable offensive versatility off the bench. His ability to shoot, pass and attack slower defenders opened space for Boston’s guards during key stretches.
Terry Rozier
Key Contributor
16.3
Low
5.6
2.6
1.9
0.8
22.89
Energetic reserve guard who brought pace and confidence whenever he entered the game. His willingness to push the ball helped keep pressure on opposing second units.
Gerald Green
Bench
14.8
Low
7.5
1.5
0.7
0.3
20.00
Instant-offense wing who provided scoring bursts in a limited role. When his jumper was falling, he gave Boston another perimeter threat capable of changing the rhythm of a game.
Jaylen Brown
Bench
12.6
Low
5.0
2.1
0.8
0.5
16.80
Athletic rookie wing whose role expanded as the postseason progressed. His defensive energy and ability to finish in transition hinted at a much larger future role.
NBA Rookie of the Year 8th Place 2017
Jonas Jerebko
Bench
10.7
Low
3.6
2.4
1.0
0.7
15.40
Utility forward who filled gaps wherever needed, providing hustle, floor spacing and rebounding in short playoff appearances.
Tyler Zeller
Bench
7.1
Low
2.9
1.7
0.7
0.2
11.00
Reserve center who offered frontcourt depth and efficient finishing around the basket when called upon.
Amir Johnson
Key Contributor
10.1
Low
2.6
2.1
0.2
0.7
11.76
Veteran big man whose playoff role became more specialized. His value came from screens, defensive positioning and physical play rather than offensive production.
Jordan Mickey
Bench
9.0
Low
2.0
2.5
0.0
0.5
10.00
Young frontcourt reserve who saw limited action but showed flashes of activity around the rim and on the glass.
James Young
Bench
3.9
Low
1.5
0.7
0.3
0.0
5.00
End-of-rotation wing whose playoff minutes were sparse, mostly serving as depth behind Boston’s established perimeter group.
TEAM TOTALS
241.4
105.2
37.9
26.9
11.8
461.03
Boston reached the Eastern Conference Finals behind Thomas’ scoring, Horford’s all-around impact and a deep collection of versatile defenders who consistently kept games competitive despite roster limitations against elite opponents.
