Celtics Clinch No. 2 Seed in East with 3-Point Barrage

Sam Hauser scores 24 points, Celtics tie franchise and NBA record with 29 3-pointers in rout of Pelicans

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Celtics 3-point shooting celebration, with overlapping planes of green, white, and gold representing the team's energy and success.The Celtics' record-setting 3-point barrage against the Pelicans showcases their offensive firepower and depth as they clinch a top playoff seed.New Orleans Today

The Boston Celtics clinched the Eastern Conference's No. 2 playoff seed with a dominant 144-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Sam Hauser led the way with 24 points on eight 3-pointers, as the Celtics tied the franchise and NBA record with 29 made 3-pointers. Jaylen Brown added 23 points for Boston, which also got a double-double from Payton Pritchard.

Why it matters

The Celtics' 3-point barrage and clinching of the No. 2 seed in the East solidifies their status as one of the top contenders in the conference. With Jayson Tatum resting, other players stepped up to lead the way, showcasing the team's depth and balance.

The details

The Celtics' 3-point shooting was on full display, as they connected on 29 of their 54 attempts from beyond the arc. Eight different Celtics players made at least two 3-pointers, led by Sam Hauser's eight makes. Boston built a 22-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back, leading by as many as 41 points against a short-handed Pelicans team.

  • The Celtics' 29 3-pointers tied their own franchise record set on October 22, 2024 against the Knicks.
  • The Celtics clinched the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference's No. 2 playoff seed with the win.

The players

Sam Hauser

A Celtics forward who led the team with 24 points on eight 3-pointers.

Jaylen Brown

A Celtics guard who scored 23 points in 29 minutes of action.

Payton Pritchard

A Celtics guard who recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists.

Neemias Queta

A Celtics big man who knocked down his first career 3-pointer and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Jeremiah Fears

A Pelicans guard who led his team with 36 points.

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What’s next

The Celtics will host the Magic on Sunday as they continue to prepare for the playoffs, while the Pelicans will visit the Timberwolves in their final regular season game.

The takeaway

The Celtics' dominant performance, led by their historic 3-point shooting, showcases their offensive firepower and depth as they gear up for a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Pelicans' struggles continue as they miss the postseason for the second straight year.