Despite missing Jayson Tatum for most of the season, the Boston Celtics have held the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference for much of the year. With only three weeks left in the regular season, however, that's suddenly in jeopardy.
The Celtics collapsed against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, scoring just 15 points in the fourth quarter and losing 102-92 at home. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks destroyed the tanking Washington Wizards in a 145-113 rout at Madison Square Garden.
The loss dropped Boston to 47-24, just half a game ahead of the 47-25 Knicks.
Should the Celtics be worried?
Celtics win streak is going to be snapped at four.
Wolves first win in Boston in more than two decades.
Knicks on a 1/2 game behind the Celtics for the two seed in the East.
New York has a slightly easier schedule than Boston down the stretch.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 23, 2026
New York is on a six-game winning streak, but all of those victories came against teams with losing records. After hosting the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, the Knicks are about to head on a brutal four-game road trip against the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Memphis Gizzlies, which should cool them off a bit.
Boston also has a fairly difficult remaining schedule. Both teams end the season with four of their final five games at home.
If the two seed is still up for grabs, it could come down to April 9's showdown between the two teams in New York City. New York has won two of their three matchups this year and will look to win the season series.
The Celtics are in good shape with Tatum back, but he's still shaking off some rust. That would be his first time facing the Knicks since suffering his Achilles injury against them in last year's playoffs.
In the meantime, every game matters for both teams as they battle for the two seed in the East. The Detroit Pistons have a comfortable 4.5-game lead for the one seed, so that's probably out of reach unless the Pistons suddenly slump in Cade Cunningham's absence to end the year.
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