Boston sports teams are currently facing a difficult period, highlighted by the Celtics' recent playoff exit after a 3-1 series collapse. This follows a stretch of disappointing outcomes for the city's teams, marking a low point for fans.
Key points
Celtics exited playoffs after a 3-1 series collapse
Boston teams have 13 championships in the 21st century
Bruins set NHL single-season wins record three years ago
Current period is viewed as a low point for Boston sports fans
Patriots reached the Super Bowl in February 2024
Boston CelticsBoston BruinsNew England PatriotsBoston Red Sox
Any Boston sports fan will tell you they root for the modern-day city of championships. It's hard to argue with that. The Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins have combined for 13 championships in the 21st century and even more championship appearances.
That success isn't all in the distant past, either. The Patriots just reached the Super Bowl in February, while the Celtics won the NBA Finals in 2024. Even when they aren't winning championships, they often find a way to impress. The Bruins set the NHL's single-season wins record three short years ago.
That era of good feelings is on pause. You could argue there hasn't been a worse time to be a Boston sports fans in decades after the last few weeks, and the city's teams hit a new low on Saturday when the Celtics limped out of the playoffs after a 3-1 series collapse.
Here's a look at how Boston's sports scene has deteriorated this spring.
The Patriots have a franchise quarterback, just went to the Super Bowl and have the foundation to compete for championships in the years ahead. You wouldn't think they could find a way to disappoint in the offseason, but New England found itself in the news for the wrong reasons in April.
Q&A
What caused the Boston Celtics' playoff exit?
The Boston Celtics exited the playoffs after a disappointing 3-1 series collapse.
How many championships have Boston sports teams won in the 21st century?
Boston sports teams, including the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins, have combined for 13 championships in the 21st century.
What recent achievements did the Boston Bruins have?
The Boston Bruins set the NHL's single-season wins record three years ago, showcasing their competitive strength.
How does the current state of Boston sports compare to its past success?
The current state of Boston sports is seen as a low point, contrasting sharply with the city's recent history of championships and competitive success.
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Head coach Mike Vrabel became embroiled in a scandal after photos showing him embracing reporter Dianna Russini were leaked to the media. Both Vrabel and Russini, who are married to different people, tried to say they were on trips with friends at the time, but more photos were released showing the pair together and seemingly alone in 2020 and 2024.
As the evidence mounted, Vrabel had to change his tune. He spoke to his team and the media, vowing to be a better husband, father and leader and skipping Day 3 of the NFL Draft to attend counseling. While he still has his job, Vrabel turned what looked like one of the most stable situations in the NFL into an internet punching bag for a handful of weeks.
On the same night the Celtics' season ended, the Red Sox quietly dropped to 13-20 on the MLB season, tied for the fourth-worst mark in baseball. Six days earlier, the franchise cleaned house by firing manager Alex Cora and four other coaches, shockingly ditching a well-respected manager just a month into the season.
While fans' opinions on Cora varied, many believed he was the wrong one to fall as a result of the Red Sox' early-season struggles. Owner John Henry and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow have come under increasing criticism, and the opening weeks of the season have given fans little confidence that the franchise is moving in the right direction.
To add insult to injury, ace Garrett Crochet landed on the IL on Wednesday with a shoulder injury after a scoreless start.
The Bruins took a step forward in year one under coach Marco Sturm and didn't shock anyone by not making a deep playoff run, but they saw their season end on their home ice Friday night with a loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Boston's ineptitude at home was a dagger to the heart of fans, who had little to cheer for at TD Garden. The Bruins were held to just one goal in each of their three home playoff games and lost all three in the six-game series. The Sabres won a playoff series for the first time in 19 years, extending the Bruins' championship drought to 15 years and Eastern Conference title drought to seven years.
It looked as though the Celtics would be the only team to lift Boston fans' spirits this spring, as they were the odds-on favorites to win the East as the Pistons stumbled out of the gate in the playoffs, but Joe Mazzulla's team saved its stumbles for the end of its series against the 76ers.
The Celtics went ahead 3-1 in the series and led Game 5 by 13 in the second half on their home floor, only to unravel down the stretch and then fall on the road in Game 6. Jayson Tatum was surprisingly ruled out for Game 7 with a knee injury, and Boston's comeback effort to turn a 16-point deficit to one came up just short.
The Celtics missed 10 consecutive shots in the closing minutes of Game 7, letting the 76ers silence what was a rowdy TD Garden crowd. Mazzulla confusingly started Baylor Scheierman, Luka Garza and Ron Harper Jr. earlier in the night, which played a role in the Celtics falling into an early hole they could never quite climb out of.
With the loss, the Celtics suffered their earliest playoff exit since 2021 and missed a chance to win a wide-open conference.
