It was hard to watch. First Boston’s Jayson Tatum, then, on the NBA’s biggest stage, Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana.

The last two Eastern Conference champions head into this season without their All-NBA stars and anchors of their team’s offense. Tatum tore his Achilles in the second round against the Knicks, and Haliburton famously tore his Achilles early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Both are expected to miss this season ( although Tatum is leaving the door open to a late-season return ).

In the wake of those absences, the preseason focus has been about the East being “wide open,” with discussions about who can step into the void. But what about Indiana and Boston this season? Can this be more than a gap year for them? Let’s break it down.

Boston Celtics

Changes were coming to the Ce

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