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.

Dec 2, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) blocks a shot by Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jan 30, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics injured forward Jayson Tatum against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Oct 28, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The Celtics are going through a very tough part of their schedule right now. Not only are they heading to Milwaukee for their fifth game in seven nights, it’s

Mar 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) drives to the basket defended by Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Queta's ascent is the result of hard work, dedication from the Boston Celtics, and luck, but it all started with a phone call from his coach in July.

Mar 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) reacts during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Queta was incredible to start and finish this game, making this easily his best game in the NBA.

Feb 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) and Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) battle for a loose ball during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Scheierman is playing with a wrap on the thumb on his shooting hand, but it's still unclear if he'll miss time.

Sep 29, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens talks to reporters during media day at the Auerbach Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Celtics are essentially driving around with their gas light on, but their plan will help them coast into a gas station just as the tank hits empty.

Feb 25, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) dribbles the ball around the perimeter during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Baylor Scheierman has been playing great for the Celtics in February, starting nine of 11 games, but a new injury raises questions about the final seven weeks of the season.

Feb 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics forward Josh Minott (8) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Josh Minott returned to Boston to face his former team, and while he faced his toughest test in the NBA while here, he left with no hard feelings.

Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) reacts against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Newest Boston Celtic came out hot and stayed hot in his best performance for his new team.

Feb 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Brown and Vucevic each scored 28 as the Celtics broke open a tight game midway through the third quarter.

Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mazzulla is unabashedly himself, which is the epicenter of his madness, his genius, and his success

Feb 25, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics Joe Mazzulla reacts after a play during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

The Celtics were slow and sluggish, which felt like an opportunity to use a perfectly-suited "break glass in case of emergency" player

Answering questions about whether Tatum should return at all, how he fits in, and games that highlight Brown's MVP case.

John Karalis

Joined: Jan 17, 2026

Derrick White Honored with the Perfect Award To Capture His Impact for the Boston Celtics

Why I'm Hooked On Hugo Gonzalez, Highlighted By One, Four-Play Stretch Against Milwaukee

Hugo Gonzalez's Career Game Leads Celtics Over Bucks: Why They Won and Player Grades

Jayson Tatum Docuseries Reveals Immediate Progress During Achilles Recovery

Boston Celtics Add Two Starters To Injury Report, Bucks Star Poised For Return

Neemias Queta's Dominant Night vs. Philadelphia Started With A Phone Call in July

Neemias Queta Powers Celtics Past Sixers: Three Reasons They Won, and Player Grades

Baylor Scheierman Explains How He Fractured His Thumb and Why He's Playing Through It

Boston Celtics Announce Signing as Part of Brilliant Cap Management Plan

Boston Celtics Starter Lands On Injury Report With a Fracture

Former Celtics Forward Discusses 'First Real Taste of Adversity' Faced In Boston

Nikola Vucevic Admits to Tough Transition, But Friday Night Was 'What We need From Him'

Nikola Vucevic, Jaylen Brown Help Blow out Nets: Four Reasons They Won and Player Grades

On Joe Mazzulla, Who Has the Boston Celtics Living Up to His Expectations, Not Yours

Joe Mazzulla May Have Missed a Big Opportunity Against the Denver Nuggets

Celtics Mailbag: Jayson Tatum's return, Jaylen Brown's MVP Case, Baylor Scheierman's progress