Boston Celtics
Boston will compete in the NBA playoffs for the 12th consecutive season, the league’s longest active streak.
The Celtics tied the NBA’s single-game three-point record for the second time in franchise history Friday night. Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Entering the 2025-26 season, the Celtics were expected to experience a bridge year amid Jayson Tatum’s absence.
Perhaps they would have found their way to the playoffs, but as a lower seed than in previous years. But ultimately, they were expected to severely regress without Tatum.
Instead, Boston (55-26) will possess the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference when the first round of the NBA postseason begins on April 18. Its appearance will mark the organization’s 12th consecutive playoff appearance, the league’s longest active streak.
The NBA playoff picture isn’t yet solidified, so the Celtics won’t know who they’ll face quite yet. Boston will compete with either the Orlando Magic or the Philadelphia 76ers, who will duke it out in the play-in tournament, which begins on April 14. The winner will become the No. 7 seed and face the Celtics.
Boston pummeled the New Orleans Pelicans 144-118 in their second-to-last regular season game Friday night to clinch the two seed, in front of their home fans at TD Garden.
Not only that, but the Celtics nearly broke the NBA’s single-game three-point record by making 29 threes, which tied the record. Friday marked the second time in history Boston recorded 29 three-pointers (Oct. 22, 2024).
Jayson Tatum was the lone inactive player for the Celtics on the second night of a back-to-back to rest ahead of the playoffs. The rest of Boston’s starting lineup, which was featured on the injury report, started and helped get their team out to a big lead.
That includes Jaylen Brown, who was originally questionable to play as he manages his left Achilles tendinitis. He scored 23 points, shooting 8-for-13 from the field, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Brown finished the night a +24, adding another example to the solid MVP case he’s built over the course of this season.
Sam Hauser, Derrick White, and Neemias Queta all started after finding themselves on the injury report; they ended their stints +21, +18, and +13 on the floor, respectively.
Jordan Walsh started in place of Tatum, scoring six points (two three-pointers) in 22 minutes as a +17.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla rightfully unloaded his bench, giving players like Max Shulga and Ron Harper Jr. minutes in the second half as the score got out of hand in favor of the Celtics.
Boston will play its final regular season game Sunday evening. Tipoff between the Celtics and their potential first-round opponent Magic is set for 6 p.m. Eastern Time at TD Garden.
Kaley Brown
Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
