BOSTON (WHDH) - The Boston Celtics clinched a playoff spot for the 12th straight season, and now wait to see who their opponent will be in the first round.
The team won 56 games and are a number two seed, despite many saying it would be a gap year as star Jayson Tatum missed significant time while recovering from tearing his right Achilles tendon in 2025.
“We did a lot of things people didn’t think we could do, that doesn’t really matter now, we’re just trying to go and get as many wins that we can here,” said Celtics Guard Derrick White.
“I’m just grateful, I’m excited, I’m prepared mentally, physically, I feel a lot better than I did last year going into the playoffs. So nothing really left to say but let’s go do it!” said Celtics Forward Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics will face either the Philadelphia 76ers or the Orlando Magic at TD Garden in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday. While they await to see who their opponent will be, Head Coach Joe Mazzulla said their mindset stays the same.
“We can’t be distracted by the things we can’t control,” Mazzulla said. “Still have to defend, rebound have to be able to execute. What changes is the physicality and the intensity, and that’s what we have to be ready to bring.”
Following a second round exit in the playoffs last year, the Celtics are now eager to raise the bar and bring home another championship.
“I feel like I’m still continuing to get better,” Brown said. “For some it may be hard to believe, because of the expectations they put on me, but I’m still improving, I’m still getting better, I’m still learning, I’m still growing, So I’m excited. I feel like I’m entering my prime.”
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