HBO’s “Celtics City” takes a somber turn this Monday with “Chapter VII: Not Again,” chronicling a period of heartbreak and hardship for the storied franchise. The episode begins with the rise of Reggie Lewis, a young Black star seemingly poised to lead the Celtics into a new era. But tragedy strikes, cutting short Lewis’s career and sending the team into a downward spiral.
The arrival of Rick Pitino as team president and coach in 1997 offered a glimmer of hope, but even his leadership couldn’t stem the tide of decline. The Celtics struggled to find a new identity, grappling with losses and searching for direction. Then, just a month before the 2000-01 season, another blow: Paul Pierce is stabbed in a Boston nightclub.
“Chapter VII” paints a picture of a franchise in crisis, adrift in a sea of uncertainty. It’s a stark contrast to the team’s earlier triumphs, demonstrating the cyclical nature of sports and the inevitable challenges that even the most celebrated dynasties face. Tune in to HBO this Monday, April 14th at 9:00 PM ET/PT for a look at one of the darkest chapters in Celtics history.
