The Boston Celtics locked up a postseason ticket on Sunday night by defeating the Charlotte Hornets, becoming the second Eastern Conference team to clinch after the Detroit Pistons sealed their spot more than a week ago.
Forward Jayson Tatum powered the short-handed Celtics with 32 points and eight assists in just 31 minutes, delivering a vintage performance that pushed Boston over the line.
West Play-In Field Takes Shape
Out West, the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers secured play-in berths when the Houston Rockets beat the New Orleans Pelicans. For Golden State, it marks a third consecutive appearance—and the fourth in six seasons—in the NBA’s play-in format.
“I’m sick of the play-in,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said recently. “It seems like we’re a play-in magnet. It sucks, but it’s great when you want an opportunity to get into the playoffs. And that is the reality for us.”
Golden State entered Sunday one game behind ninth-place Portland and 2.5 games back of the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers before facing the Denver Nuggets. The Blazers, fresh off a victory over the Washington Wizards, sit 1.5 games behind the Clippers and are chasing their first playoff appearance since 2021.
Knicks Miss Early Chance
The New York Knicks could have clinched their own postseason berth with a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder but fell 111-100. The loss leaves New York 1.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Knicks attempt to hold onto the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed.
Source: Hoops Rumors
