Celtics Have 3 Ways to Clinch Playoff Spot on Sunday

Boston is in good position to secure a postseason berth with multiple clinching scenarios.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:43pm

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The Boston Celtics have three different ways to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, March 29, 2026. They can clinch by either winning their game against the Charlotte Hornets, having the Toronto Raptors lose to the Orlando Magic, or if the New York Knicks defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Why it matters

Clinching a playoff spot is the first step for the Celtics, who are looking to finish as high as possible in the Eastern Conference standings. With multiple weeks left in the regular season, securing a postseason berth early gives the team more time to focus on their seeding and positioning.

The details

The NBA has released the official clinching scenarios for Sunday, and the Celtics have three options to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The simplest way is to win their game against the Hornets. They would also clinch if the Raptors lose to the Magic, or if the Knicks beat the Thunder.

  • The Celtics' game against the Hornets is on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • The Raptors play the Magic on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • The Knicks play the Thunder on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Boston Celtics

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

Charlotte Hornets

An NBA team based in Charlotte, North Carolina that competes in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto Raptors

An NBA team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that competes in the Eastern Conference.

Orlando Magic

An NBA team based in Orlando, Florida that competes in the Eastern Conference.

New York Knicks

An NBA team based in New York City, New York that competes in the Eastern Conference.

Oklahoma City Thunder

An NBA team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that competes in the Western Conference.

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The takeaway

The Celtics are in a strong position to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, with multiple scenarios that would secure their postseason berth. This early clinching gives the team more time to focus on their seeding and positioning in the Eastern Conference standings as the regular season winds down.