The Boston Celtics secured their 12th consecutive postseason appearance on Sunday night, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 114-99 to record their 50th victory of the season.
Moments after the final buzzer in Charlotte, injured guard Jaylen Brown took to social media, writing, “50 wins in a gap year,” a jab at observers who had questioned Boston’s chances after an offseason defined by roster changes and Jayson Tatum’s Achilles rehabilitation.
Brown, sidelined for a second straight game with left Achilles tendinitis, watched as the Celtics posted their third straight win and seventh in eight outings. The club has reached the 50-win mark for the fifth season in a row, a feat many considered unlikely when veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis were traded and Tatum was still recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in last May’s playoffs.
Tatum, now healthy, powered Boston on Sunday with 32 points—his highest total in 11 games since returning—while becoming the youngest player in franchise history to eclipse 14,000 career points. The forward hit turnaround jumpers, drove past defenders for layups, delivered a two-hand dunk and repeatedly drew double-teams that freed teammates for open looks.
“I wasn’t sped up,” Tatum said afterward. “I’m still getting my conditioning back, but I’m being decisive, exploding when I need to and reacting.” Boston is 9-2 since his return.
The Celtics’ 12-year playoff run is the longest active streak in the NBA. Sunday’s result lifted their record to 50-22, keeping them in the Eastern Conference title conversation despite Tatum’s extended absence earlier in the season and Brown’s current injury.
Source: ESPN
