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Celtics Collapse in Game 2—and the Card Market Isn’t Happy About It

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The Boston Celtics were supposed to bounce back. Instead, they unraveled—again.

After coughing up a 20-point lead in Game 1 of their playoff series against the New York Knicks, Boston repeated the nightmare in Game 2, blowing another massive advantage and handing the Knicks a shocking 2-0 series lead. And while the basketball world processes what just happened, the sports card market is already reacting—with noticeable drops for the Celtics’ biggest stars.


Market Confidence Slipping Along with the Lead

Historically, playoff performances can swing card prices wildly. A game-winning shot or dominant stat line can send prices surging overnight. But the opposite is true, too—and Boston’s back-to-back meltdowns are already hitting wallets.


Jayson Tatum – 2017 Prizm Silver PSA 10

Tatum’s 2017 Prizm Silver Rookie (PSA 10) was riding a mild wave thanks to Boston’s first-round success. Over the last month, it gained a modest 5.2%. But that growth is already stalling—and reversing.

  • April 27: $825

  • May 5: $765

  • Estimated current value: ~$740 and trending lower

Notably, that last sale came before Game 2’s collapse. Prices could continue to dip as public sentiment cools.


Jaylen Brown – 2016 Prizm Green PSA 10

Brown’s 2016 Prizm Green Rookie (PSA 10) has taken a steeper fall. Once a color-match favorite among Celtics collectors, its value has slid nearly 50% in just under a month.

  • April 12: $636

  • May 4: $432

  • Expected post-loss range: Possibly under $400

Again, the latest data doesn’t even reflect the Game 2 fallout—meaning more drops could be on the horizon.


Will Game 3 Be a Turning Point?

The good news? Tatum, Brown, and the Celtics still have time to flip the narrative—and the market with it. These cards are highly liquid during the playoffs, and one dominant win could quickly revive interest and pricing.

But after back-to-back collapses and a series deficit no one saw coming, confidence is clearly shaken.

For collectors, this is one of those “wait and see” moments. A Game 3 win might steady the ship. But another slip-up? It could be open season on Celtics inventory across marketplaces.

With the Knicks gaining momentum and Boston on the ropes, the only thing colder than the Celtics' second-half shooting might be their card prices.