Celtics Clinch No. 2 Seed in Eastern Conference Playoffs with Blowout Win Over Pelicans

Boston ties NBA record with 29 three-pointers in dominant victory

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting overlapping planes of basketball players in motion, representing the Celtics' dynamic team performance in their playoff-clinching victory.The Celtics' three-point barrage and playoff clinching win demonstrates their depth and resilience as a top contender in the East.New Orleans Today

The Boston Celtics clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 144-118 blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. The Celtics tied the NBA's single-game three-point record by making 29 threes, the second time they've accomplished that feat in franchise history.

Why it matters

The Celtics' playoff berth extends their active streak to 12 consecutive postseason appearances, the longest in the NBA. Despite missing star Jayson Tatum, Boston has exceeded expectations and will enter the playoffs as a top contender in the East.

The details

With Tatum resting, the Celtics' supporting cast stepped up in a big way. Jaylen Brown led the way with 23 points, while Sam Hauser, Derrick White, and Neemias Queta all made significant contributions as starters. The Celtics' bench also got extended playing time as they pulled away in the second half.

  • The Celtics clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Boston will play its final regular season game on Sunday, April 12, 2026 against a potential first-round opponent, the Orlando Magic.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A Celtics star who has built a strong MVP case this season, scoring 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting in the win.

Sam Hauser

A Celtics role player who started and finished the game +21 on the floor.

Derrick White

A Celtics starter who was +18 on the night as the team cruised to victory.

Neemias Queta

A Celtics starter who contributed to the team's dominant performance with a +13 plus-minus.

Jordan Walsh

A Celtics player who started in place of the resting Jayson Tatum, scoring 6 points in 22 minutes.

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What they’re saying

“Not only that, but the Celtics nearly broke the NBA's single-game three-point record by making 29 threes, which tied the record. Friday marked the second time in history Boston recorded 29 three-pointers (Oct. 22, 2024).”

— Kaley Brown, Sports producer

What’s next

The Celtics will play their final regular season game on Sunday, April 12, 2026 against the Orlando Magic. The winner of the play-in tournament between the Magic and Philadelphia 76ers will become the No. 7 seed and face the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Celtics' dominant performance and playoff clinching win showcases the team's depth and resilience, as they've exceeded expectations without their star player Jayson Tatum. This sets them up as a top contender in the Eastern Conference playoffs despite the absence of their leading scorer.