Celtics Sundays just got way more intense, and it has absolutely nothing to do with what’s happening on the actual NBA court. Most of the 2026-2027 Boston Celtics roster is locked into a fantasy football league, turning their off days into competitive squabbles that are even spilling over into practice. We’re talking head-to-head battles every single week, giving an already competitive squad another reason to talk smack. Ron Harper Jr. was quick to boast on Thursday, “I just beat Neemi. He was undefeated, so he was pretty upset about that.”
Mike Conley: The OG Behind the Gridiron Glory
The mastermind behind this whole intense operation? None other than Mike Conley. He joined the Celtics in July after a legendary 19-year NBA career, and wasted no time injecting some competitive fun into the locker room. Conley, a longtime fantasy football enthusiast, took the initiative to create the league with his new teammates, and it’s been a massive hit. Harper Jr. even joked, “Y’all should ask Mike how many leagues he’s in when y’all talk to him. I don’t know how he watches a single game on Sunday without freaking out.” Conley, at almost 39 years old, is the oldest player on the roster, and it shows in the league standings where he’s officially listed as ‘Unc.’ Head Coach Joe Mazzulla laughed, “Now I know what to call him.” Harper Jr. doubled down, “He’s definitely our OG.” Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Neemias Queta, Payton Pritchard, Harper Jr., Chris Cenac Jr., and Dillon Mitchell are among the 11 players currently battling it out in Conley’s chaotic league.
Rookies on the Struggle Bus, but the Bonding is Real
The standings have been a rollercoaster through the league’s first few weeks. Chris Cenac Jr., the youngest player on the Celtics, admits, “I think I’m 1-2.” He took a tough loss to Payton Pritchard last week, even scoring 120 points and still ending up on the losing side. “It’s tough, but it’s pretty cool playing in the league with them,” Cenac added, noting that Lamar Jackson is a big reason his team is even competitive. Fellow rookie Dillon Mitchell is also off to a rough 1-2 start. Mitchell confessed he doesn’t “keep up with football too much,” and that sometimes when he checks his phone, “it hasn’t been a great score for me.” Coach Mazzulla said he wasn’t even aware of the fantasy league, but he’s all about players doing things together off the court. “I just know it’s something they talk about a lot,” he noted. This isn’t their first rodeo for off-court bonding either; last year, Payton Pritchard led competitive Catan games on team flights for most of the roster.
So, yeah, Sundays are wild now for the Celtics. This isn’t just about fantasy bragging rights, though. It’s about an already competitive squad building chemistry, creating inside jokes, and forging bonds that can translate directly to the hardwood. With ‘Unc’ Conley orchestrating the chaos, you gotta wonder how this off-court competition will fuel their drive as the season unfolds. Keep an eye on these guys; the fantasy league might just be the secret sauce for their success.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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