Mid-February 2021, before the All‑Star Break
The TD Garden court felt different this time of year — threadbare from the grind of a compressed season, but still sacred. The Boston Celtics had fought to a middling 15–17 record by late January, hovering awkwardly around .500. February had been no friend: they went 7–9 this month , dropping games to Phoenix, Utah, Detroit, Washington and Atlanta in nasty blowouts, while stealing victories against Toronto, Denver, and Indiana.
Through it all, Kyle Wilson had been ticking upward. His numbers — 10.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 21 minutes — didn't scream superstar yet, but flashes were becoming the rule. A stat line that said: "I belong. I'm here."
But belonging and being felt were different things. He still felt the ache — physical fatigue, mental weight. His knee recovery, the G-League stint, the Rising Star chatter, the NBA spotlight? All burning bright alongside every whisper that said: "What about his consistency?"
