Former NBA guard Lou Williams shared his confidence in the Boston Celtics emerging from the Eastern Conference during a discussion on Run It Back. As the team sits at 40-20 following a 114-98 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, Williams sees them as the frontrunners.
"I like Boston coming out of the East right now," Williams stated, citing their resilience in the face of Jayson Tatum's ongoing recovery from Achilles surgery.
"I like Boston coming out of the East right now."
The Celtics are Lou Williams' frontrunner in the East right now 👀☘️ @MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/uWU9xpxTJx
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 2, 2026
The win over Philadelphia showcased Boston's balance. Jaylen Brown led with 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Neemias Queta delivered a career-best 27 points and 17 rebounds. The Celtics held the 76ers to 98 points.
Boston currently holds the second seed in the East, 5.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons (45-14) and ahead of the New York Knicks (39-22). Their 8-2 mark in the last 10 games reflects a team that continues to improve as the year advances.
Monday's battle against the Milwaukee Bucks (26-33) will test their depth. Brown is out with illness, Queta is resting, and Tatum remains sidelined. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected back for Milwaukee after missing time with a calf strain.
As the season progresses toward April's playoffs, Boston's ability to integrate Tatum could solidify their path.
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