Boston Clinches No. 2 Seed with Win Over Knicks

Playoff positioning still up for grabs in tight Eastern Conference race

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:11pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange intersecting to create a dynamic, multi-perspective composition.The tight Eastern Conference playoff race is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration, reflecting the multiple storylines and shifting dynamics at play.Boston Today

The Boston Celtics can clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a win over the New York Knicks on Thursday night. While Boston's spot is secure, several other teams in the East are still jockeying for playoff positioning in a tight race.

Why it matters

With the playoffs just around the corner, Thursday's games will have a major impact on the final seeding in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics locking up the No. 2 seed would set them up for an easier path in the postseason, while the Knicks and other teams are fighting to improve their playoff positioning.

The details

The Celtics can clinch the No. 2 seed and the Atlantic Division title with a win over the Knicks. Even if they lose out, Boston would still be the No. 2 seed, but a victory would make it official. Meanwhile, the Knicks are just half a game ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth seed, so this game has major implications for their playoff positioning as well.

  • The Celtics-Knicks game is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Boston Celtics

An NBA team based in Boston, Massachusetts that is currently in second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

New York Knicks

An NBA team based in New York City that is currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, just half a game ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“We had a players-only meeting after our last loss and we're hoping that can help us turn things around and climb up the standings.”

— Miami Heat Player

What’s next

The Celtics will look to clinch the No. 2 seed on Thursday, while the Knicks and other teams in the East will continue to battle for playoff positioning in the final games of the regular season.

The takeaway

The playoff race in the Eastern Conference remains tight, with several teams still jockeying for position. Thursday's games, particularly the Celtics-Knicks matchup, will have a major impact on the final seeding and set the stage for what should be an exciting postseason.