Celtics Tie NBA 3-Point Record, Clinch No. 2 Seed

Sam Hauser's hot shooting leads Boston past Pelicans, while Knicks secure No. 3 seed with win over Raptors

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:12am

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An abstract, energetic painting featuring bold, neon-colored brushstrokes and shapes that evoke the fast-paced action and 3-point shooting of an NBA game, capturing the intensity and excitement of the playoff race.The Celtics and Knicks' high-octane offenses collide in a clash of Eastern Conference contenders.New Orleans Today

The Boston Celtics tied an NBA record with 29 made 3-pointers in their 144-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, clinching the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Sam Hauser led the way with 24 points and 8 made 3-pointers. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks defeated the Toronto Raptors 112-95 to secure the No. 3 seed, led by 29 points from Jalen Brunson.

Why it matters

The Celtics' 3-point barrage and clinching of the No. 2 seed solidifies their status as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference, while the Knicks' win gives them home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs as they look to build on their successful regular season.

The details

The Celtics were led by Sam Hauser's career night, as the second-year player knocked down 8 of the team's 29 3-pointers, tying an NBA record. Jaylen Brown added 23 points, and Payton Pritchard had a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists. The Knicks, meanwhile, were paced by Jalen Brunson's 29 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 22 points and 10 rebounds. The Raptors were unable to keep pace, with OG Anunoby exiting the game in the second quarter with a left ankle injury.

  • The Celtics clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with their win over the Pelicans.
  • The Knicks secured the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with their victory over the Raptors.

The players

Sam Hauser

A second-year player for the Boston Celtics who scored 24 points and made 8 3-pointers in the team's win over the Pelicans.

Jalen Brunson

The starting point guard for the New York Knicks, who scored 29 points in the team's victory over the Raptors.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The star center for the New York Knicks, who contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Toronto.

OG Anunoby

The starting small forward for the Toronto Raptors, who exited the game against the Knicks in the second quarter with a left ankle injury.

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What they’re saying

“We must keep our foot on the gas and continue to play at a high level as we head into the playoffs.”

— Jaylen Brown, Celtics Guard

“This was a big win for us, but we know there's still more work to be done. We're excited for the postseason challenge ahead.”

— Jalen Brunson, Knicks Guard

What’s next

The Celtics and Knicks will await their first-round playoff opponents as the regular season comes to a close. The Raptors will look to secure their playoff positioning in their final game.

The takeaway

The Celtics and Knicks have solidified themselves as two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, setting up what could be an exciting postseason run for both franchises. The Raptors, meanwhile, will need to regroup and find a way to get healthy before the playoffs begin.