Celtics Clinch No. 2 Seed Despite Missing 3-Point Record

Boston falls short of NBA single-game 3-pointer mark but secures playoff positioning.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:18am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a basketball game, with sharp planes of green, white, and gold representing the dynamic action on the court.The Celtics' high-scoring victory over the Pelicans clinched a top playoff seed, but fell short of a historic 3-point shooting record.New Orleans Today

The Boston Celtics fell just short of the NBA single-game record for 3-pointers made in their 144-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. However, the win was enough to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the Celtics.

Why it matters

While missing out on the 3-point record was a disappointment, securing the No. 2 seed is a major accomplishment for the Celtics, who are looking to make a deep playoff run. The higher seeding gives them home-court advantage in the early rounds.

The details

The Celtics made 23 3-pointers in the game, just shy of the NBA record of 27. Jayson Tatum led the way with 7 made 3s, while Jaylen Brown and Malcolm Brogdon each hit 5. The win, combined with losses by other East contenders, was enough to lock up the No. 2 seed for Boston.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Boston Celtics

An NBA franchise based in Boston, Massachusetts that competes in the Eastern Conference.

New Orleans Pelicans

An NBA franchise based in New Orleans, Louisiana that competes in the Western Conference.

Jayson Tatum

A star forward for the Boston Celtics.

Jaylen Brown

A star guard for the Boston Celtics.

Malcolm Brogdon

A veteran guard for the Boston Celtics.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't get the record, but we got the win and that's what matters most. Now we can focus on the playoffs and making a run at the championship.”

— Jayson Tatum, Forward, Boston Celtics

What’s next

The Celtics will now turn their attention to the NBA playoffs, where they will have home-court advantage in the early rounds as the No. 2 seed in the East.

The takeaway

Despite falling just short of the 3-point shooting record, the Celtics' win over the Pelicans was enough to secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This positioning gives them a valuable advantage as they look to make a deep postseason run and compete for an NBA championship.