It’s officially the end of the NBA 2024-25 preseason, and tomorrow is when each team has to set their official roster, but I’ve already seen everything I needed to know.

The Celtics first game is against the Knicks at home on Tuesday. And though it’s expected that they’ll be without Kristaps Porzingis who’s still recovering from the surgery for a calf injury. Nonetheless, here’s what the preseason has shown.

Brown and Tatum are less tense

After seasons of constantly making deep playoff runs and not making it to getting a ring, this past season was a weight lifted off for the young stars in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Brown, who wasn’t picked to play in the Olympics this summer, appears to be much stronger, faster, and polished in his offensive game. Tatum doesn’t appear to be forcing anything and has a smile on his face more often while on the court. This is a good sign since when we think about the recent seasons and how the two have been strictly business, sometimes it hurt them.

Chemistry is already there

Though Brown, Porzingis, and Horford were not in the Olympics, that doesn’t mean the Celtics weren’t still building as a team. Jrue Holiday, Tatum, and Derrick White were all on Team USA and appeared to still be in sync in the preseason. These guys know who they are and how they compliment each others game. Defensive switches, passes in transition, and moving without the ball seems to be like they never left, and they haven’t for the most part.

The bench is still a factor, but not by much

The cutting of Lonnie Walker IV showed to me that the Celtics are comfortable with what their bench has been showing so far this season. Last season, their lack of depth was one of the few concerns surrounding the C’s. The six-foot-four guard our of Miami looked to be a good pickup for the Celtics to get some scoring off the bench, but it looks like Payton Pritchard will provide that. Pritchard was the energy boost for the Celtics at the end of quarters, he would typically hit half court shots before halftime. Pritchard looks more confident and productive for the Celtics as a back court defender and shooter. Jordan Walsh will likely play some meaningful minutes this season as well.