Celtics host Hornets for potential playoff preview

The Celtics and Hornets face off in a potential first-round playoff matchup

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with the players and court broken down into overlapping, angular shapes in shades of green, blue, and orange.The Celtics and Hornets face off in a high-stakes matchup that could preview a first-round playoff series.Boston Today

The Boston Celtics will host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night in a game that could preview a first-round playoff matchup. The Celtics currently hold the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Hornets are the No. 8 seed. The two teams have split their season series so far, with the Hornets handing the Celtics one of their worst losses of the season in March before the Celtics got revenge later that month.

Why it matters

This game could have major playoff implications, as the winner of the No. 7/8 play-in game would likely face the Celtics in the first round. The Hornets have proven to be a tough matchup for the Celtics, so this game will be an important test for Boston as it prepares for the postseason.

The details

The Celtics and Hornets have split their two meetings so far this season. On March 4, the Hornets handed the Celtics a 118-89 blowout loss. However, the Celtics got their revenge on March 29, with Jayson Tatum scoring a season-high 32 points in a 114-99 win. Both teams have clean injury reports heading into Tuesday's matchup.

  • The Celtics and Hornets will face off on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • On March 4, 2026, the Hornets defeated the Celtics 118-89.
  • On March 29, 2026, the Celtics defeated the Hornets 114-99.

The players

Boston Celtics

An NBA team based in Boston, Massachusetts that currently holds the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte Hornets

An NBA team based in Charlotte, North Carolina that currently holds the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Jayson Tatum

A star player for the Boston Celtics who scored a season-high 32 points in the Celtics' win over the Hornets on March 29.

Jaylen Brown

A star player for the Boston Celtics.

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What they’re saying

“Noa Dalzell talks Jayson Tatum's overall impact on the Celtics' offense since his return on a new episode of the Celtics Talk Postgame Pod!”

— Noa Dalzell, Celtics Talk Postgame Pod host

What’s next

The winner of the No. 7/8 play-in game will likely face the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

This game between the Celtics and Hornets will be an important test for Boston as it prepares for the playoffs, as the Hornets have proven to be a tough matchup for the Celtics this season.