The 2026 Autopsy Reports: Celtics, Nuggets, Rockets

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open up The Autopsy Report on three teams whose playoff exits raised more questions than answers — the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets. Each entered the postseason with expectations, but all three were unceremoniously bounced in the first round, forcing a hard look at roster construction, star leadership, coaching decisions, and long-term direction.
What went wrong for Boston? Are Denver’s championship windows tightening? And did Houston’s young core hit a ceiling sooner than expected? We break down the key turning points, underperformances, and structural flaws that led to their early exits — and more importantly, what comes next. From potential roster moves and offseason priorities to franchise-defining decisions, this is a full-scale evaluation of three teams at a crossroads.

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