John Karalis

Joined: Jan 17, 2026

John Karalis is a 20-year veteran of Celtics coverage and was nominated for NSMA's Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. He has hosted the Locked On Celtics podcast since 2016 and has written two books about the Celtics. John was born and raised in Pawtucket, RI. He graduated from Shea High School in Pawtucket, where he played football, soccer, baseball, and basketball and was captain of the baseball and basketball teams. John graduated from Emerson College in Boston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism and was a member of their Gold Key Honor Society. He was a four-year starter and two-year captain of the Men’s Basketball team, and remains one of the school's top all-time scorers, and Emerson's all-time leading rebounder. He is also the first Emerson College player to play professional basketball (Greece). John started his career in television, producing and creating shows since 1997. He spent nine years at WBZ, launching two different news and lifestyle shows before ascending to Executive Producer and Managing Editor. He then went to New York, where he was a producer and reporter until 2018. John is one of Boston’s original Celtics bloggers, creating RedsArmy.com in 2006. In 2018, John joined the Celtics beat full-time for MassLive.com and then went to Boston Sports Journal in 2021, where he covered the Celtics for five years. He has hosted the Locked On Celtics podcast since 2016, and it currently ranks as the #1 Boston Celtics podcast on iTunes and Spotify rankings. He is also one of the co-hosts of the Locked on NBA podcast.

Feb 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Apr 10, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) reacts after making a three point basket in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.

Nov 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) and Boston Celtics center Luka Garza (52) warm up before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

There are some high expectations from some when it comes to Payton Pritchard, but even he says his path to improvement this year will be different than it has been in the past.

Apr 10, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. (13) during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

His fight for some security in the NBA has paid off, but Ron Harper Jr.'s fight for minutes on a crowded wing depth chart will still go on this season.

Jan 23, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) celebrates his three point shot against Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) with Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first overtime at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

This is the next installment in a series of pieces examining what the Boston Celtics can expect from each of their players this season. Others in the series: Th

Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) reacts after hitting a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

He might be the most well-rounded of the reserve wings, but he still needs to improve a lot if he's going to grab hold of a regular rotation spot.

Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) reacts after scoring a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

He's young, but he's also been around. He's shown a lot, and yet he has a lot to prove. If Walsh is going to become the player he wants to be, it's going to take more focus than what we've seen.

May 8, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) reacts to his three pointer against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

He's mostly been discussed in transactional terms, but George has something left to give, and he can be effective in a lot of the ways the Celtics need.

Apr 30, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) dribbles the ball against the Denver Nuggets in the first half during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

He turns before the season starts, but don't think Conley will spend the whole year waving a towel from the bench. He has something left to give.

Las Vegas, NV - Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. box out for a rebound against the Charlotte Hornets in the Boston Celtics summer league game on July 12, 2026

The rookies will very likely spend most of their season in the G League, but we could see them in certain situations.

Mar 29, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Boston Celtics guard Hugo González (28) keeps the ball away from Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images

The Celtics will play a quarter of their overall schedule and a third of their back-to-backs by the end of November, which is tough, but can come with a chance for some players to prove themselves.

May 21, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) in over-time during game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The new Celtics schedule is here, and at least 10 (maybe more) games really stand out as interesting games to look forward to.

Aug 6, 2026; Camden, NJ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown speaks with the media during his introductory press conference at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Brown's return to Boston was kept off the initial release of marquee games, but the Sixers and Celtics will still meet on national TV

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) grabs a rebound against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The Celtics can address one of their biggest offensive weaknesses thanks to the return of Jayson Tatum and the addition of Mitchell Robinson

John Karalis

Joined: Jan 17, 2026

What the Boston Celtics can expect from Derrick White

How Boston Celtics Players Are Doing In FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Sam Hauser

What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Centers Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson, Luka Garza, Amari Williams

What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Payton Pritchard

What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Ron Harper Jr.

What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Hugo Gonzalez

What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Baylor Scheierman

What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Jordan Walsh

What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Paul George

Brad Stevens Explains What the Boston Celtics Can Expect From Mike Conley

What Can the Boston Celtics Expect From Rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell?

Brutal Start to Boston Celtics Schedule Comes With An Opportunity

10 Most Interesting Games on the Boston Celtics 2026-27 Schedule

New NBA Schedule Shows When Jaylen Brown Plays the Boston Celtics

The One Offensive Adjustment the Boston Celtics Must Address Before Opening Night