The Boston Celtics and their devoted fan base entered the NBA playoffs with hopeful optimism, dreaming of springing a championship parade worthy of the storied franchise. But as it turns out, the only green tide rising is the envy of Celtics fans seeing the New York Knicks leap ahead in the playoff series. The nightmare scenario has played out twice now as the Celtics squandered significant leads in both Game 1 and Game 2, leaving fans and, notably, sports card collectors in a state of consternation.
In the hallowed world of sports collectibles, where cardboard heroes and legends are traded with all the fervor of the New York Stock Exchange, the Celtics’ back-to-back meltdowns are leaving a stark imprint. Just as a player’s clutch performance can skyrocket their card value overnight, their missteps, too, can send a ripple effect through wallets nationwide.
Jayson Tatum was the one Bostonian shining star that collectors banked on. His 2017 Prizm Silver Rookie Card (graded PSA 10 for you card nerds) was having a decent run in April and early May. Boston’s initial playoff successes inflated its value by a modest 5.2% — a comfortable ascent for any card collector hoping to see green in more ways than one. But alas, the winds of fortune have shifted mightily, and his stock is nosediving faster than you can say “three-pointer.”
Just a few weeks ago on April 27th, the card hit a respectable trading price of $825. By May 5th, in the wake of the initial heartache against the Knicks, it slid to $765. Now, rumor has it you might only fetch around $740 if you manage to find a taker. And hold on to your jerseys — this was before Tatum’s encore tumble in Game 2. His value may soon be dipping lower than a dunk attempt against the Knicks’ defense.
Not far behind in this card debacle is Jaylen Brown, another Celtic whose card value has seen a steep decline. Brown’s fandom was particularly high thanks to his 2016 Prizm Green Rookie Card, mainly because its Celtics color-matching design was a collector’s dream. Alas, dreams will have to take a backseat as reality sets in. Where his card was valued at $636 on April 12th, it plummeted to $432 by May 4th, following the first collapse. As talk escalates about a second debacle, it’s expected that the market won’t react kindly, potentially dropping that price below $400 quicker than you can say “turnover.”
Brace yourselves for a whiplash of card values, basketball fans, for the market is as fickle as a referee’s whistle. The Celtics still hold the cards, literally, in what might be their last hand to play. A monstrous recovery in Game 3 could at least patch the leaking ship that is their card market. Tatum and Brown, with a hero’s bout on the court, might yet revive the collectors’ faith and dollars. But, if Boston falters again, it doesn’t take Yoda-level insight to foresee a sell-off the likes of which sports collectors have yet to see this season.
Collectors now find themselves at a suspenseful crossroads—waiting with bated breath for the series to continue. If the Celtics pull themselves together to clinch a win in Game 3, we might witness a resurgence in both team morale and card values. However, should the trend continue and the Celtics stumble yet again, you can only expect the floodgates to open, with card prices hitting lows that could give even the gods of FOMO a heart attack.
The New York Knicks, meanwhile, seem to have found their rhythm, potentially setting themselves up for an unexpected series win. Their success acts as a stark reminder of the brutality and beauty inherent in sports—a reflection both in physical gameplay and in the parallel universe of its memorabilia.
As Game 3 looms, the energy in Boston hangs heavy with anticipation and the slightly nervous air of what might come next. Tatum and Brown, once the princes of the court and cardboard realm alike, may still have redemption written in their stars and subsequently in their sports cards. But redemption requires decisive action—a hero’s rebound from an unexpected fall. Will the Celtics’ story segue into a chapter of resolve and comeback, or will we see a continuation of their unraveling saga? The tales of dexterity, strategy, and perhaps a final attempt at salvation continue to play out—to the benefit or chagrin of those investing one piece at a time.