The Boston Celtics haven't lost a step since winning the 2024 NBA Finals. They're firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference at 48-19, five games ahead of the New York Knicks (42-23). They also own the third-best record in the league, behind only the Cleveland Cavaliers (56-10) and Oklahoma City Thunder (54-12).
The Celtics' mixture of star power and depth will once again make them a formidable foe in the playoffs. Jayson Tatum leads them with 27.3 points on 45.5 percent shooting with 8.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, while Jaylen Brown has 23 points on a 46 percent clip with 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and a team-high 1.3 steals.
Boston's bench is also effective, as Payton Pritchard (14 PPG) could win Sixth Man of the Year, and 38-year-old Al Horford (8.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG) is one of the NBA's best backup bigs.
That's why the Celtics clinched a playoff spot with 15 games left after Friday's 103-91 win over the Miami Heat. They're the third team to clinch after the Cavaliers and Thunder, and posted a five-word message after the big news they would be returning to the playoffs.
"Title defense is officially on" the Celtics wrote on X.
Title defense is officially on pic.twitter.com/aBuxnVrL2r
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 15, 2025
Boston, who has won seven of its last 10 contests, will face the Brooklyn Nets on the road Saturday night. The Nets (22-44) will be shorthanded, as Cam Thomas (hamstring) is expected to miss the rest of the season, via the team. Nic Claxton (rest) will be out as well, per ESPN.
The Celtics will be without Kristaps Porzingis (illness), while Horford (toe) and Derrick White (knee) are doubtful. Tatum (knee) and Brown (knee) are both questionable.
Related: Celtics Make Major Kristaps Porzingis Announcement Before Nets Game
Related: Celtics Announce Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown News After Heat Game
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This story was originally published March 15, 2025 at 5:59 PM.