Celtics Defeat Raptors 115-101 in Potential Playoff Preview

Boston's strong fourth-quarter performance leads to a big win over Toronto.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Boston Celtics hosted the Toronto Raptors in a potential playoff preview on Sunday, with the game coming down to the final quarter. Despite a back-and-forth battle, the Celtics put together an impressive fourth-quarter performance to secure a 115-101 victory over their Canadian rivals.

Why it matters

This matchup between the Celtics and Raptors could be a preview of a future playoff series, as both teams are contenders in the Eastern Conference. The outcome of this game provides insight into how these two teams might fare against each other in the postseason.

The details

Celtics center Neemias Queta was a standout performer, dominating the paint and making a significant impact on both ends of the floor. In contrast, Nikola Vucevic struggled in his return to the Celtics' lineup, with his defensive rotations and inability to convert on offense proving costly.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The players

Neemias Queta

A Celtics center who was the best player on the floor, making an impact on both offense and defense.

Nikola Vucevic

A Celtics center who struggled in his return from injury, with poor defensive rotations and an inability to convert on offense.

Jaylen Brown

A Celtics star who helped set up Queta for easy scoring opportunities.

Jayson Tatum

A Celtics star who was effective on the glass, helping to limit the Raptors' second-chance opportunities.

Jakob Poeltl

A Raptors center who helped put pressure on the Celtics' ball-handlers by stepping out to the three-point line.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

If the Celtics and Raptors meet in the playoffs, this game could provide valuable insight into how the two teams match up against each other.

The takeaway

The Celtics' strong fourth-quarter performance and Neemias Queta's dominant play highlight the team's depth and ability to win tough games against fellow Eastern Conference contenders like the Raptors.