The Celtics clinched a playoff spot with their win over the Hornets on Sunday, per the NBA (Twitter link). They became the second Eastern Conference team to do so, behind the Pistons, who officially nabbed a berth over a week ago.
Jayson Tatum had a vintage performance for the short-handed Celtics, scoring 32 points and adding eight assists in 31 minutes.
In the Western Conference, the Warriors and Trail Blazers are officially locked into a play-in spot thanks to the Rockets winning their matchup against the Pelicans on Sunday. This marks the third-straight play-in entry for Golden State, and the fourth in six years, Angelina Martin writes for NBC Sports Bay Area.
“I’m sick of the play-in,” 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.”
The Warriors rank 10th in the Western Conference standings but could still move up a spot or two before the regular season wraps up. Entering Sunday’s contest vs. Denver, they were one game behind the No. 9 Blazers and 2.5 games back of the No. 8 Clippers.
The Blazers are 1.5 games behind the Clippers after beating the Wizards on Sunday. If they manage to make it through the play-in, it would be their first playoff appearance since 2021.
The Knicks could have locked in their own playoff spot with a win over the Thunder tonight, but they lost 111-100 and are now just 1.5 games ahead of the Cavaliers as they try to maintain their hold on the No. 3 seed in the East.
“Im sick of being in the play in” says guy who is preventing the team from winning more games to avoid play in.
That said: an active Steph Curry = GSW is a threat.
GSW aren’t a threat. Gap year Celtics on the other hand, lols. LETS GO CELTICS.
I’m surprised he didn’t say that” GSW is just 3 games out of 8th”.
Nice to see Tatum play well. The Celtics’ defense was excellent.
Congrats to Celtics. Never thought they’d be top 4. Let alone top 2. Even thought they might tank at one point. They are a class act franchise. 👏
Blazers make the 8th seed. They will have a parade in Chicago lols ……
Absolutely will. That’s pretty funny. The Warriors are sick of the play in. Bulls fans are sick of the play in. Bulls fans are sick of the play in being THE GOAL! Time to take a stand. If they somehow land in a draft spot to take Keaton Wagler they should absolutely do it. He can play the 1 or the 2. Maybe if he fills out a bit he can even play some 3. Otherwise if they get Portland’s pick they should take the best 4 or 5 they can find and in FA. Time to make a move.
Glad you came on the Wagler bandwagon Mike! I want him 100%, but with a different head coach. lol
I’ve always been on the Wagler bandwagon. I even said before that he would be the only guy the Bulls should draft who isn’t a 4 or a 5. I know the odds are long but still hoping. If the Bulls got Wagler with all the other guards they have around I would even consider flipping Giddey for something else they can use. They can either play Wagler with Giddey as the 2 or let him come off the bench with the second unit. He can improve his ball handling a bit but that’s really all he needs except to fill out a little. As far as the stupid coach goes I hope Cowley is actually right for once but I really see no scenario where Donovan goes back to college unless he’s convinced like we are that Bulls management is clueless. It’s more than past time that the Bulls joined the rest of the NBA and learned that Basketball is for big men not just over sized guards and small forwards. You need to defend the hoop.
The one thing Wagler needs to get better is his handles, I agree. If Acuff is there though, I’d put him over Wagler in my draft board. It doesn’t matter how small he might be considered for the next level, the kid can hoop and makes big time shots. I want a guy like that on our team.
Clippers are 8 seed. Bulls will get conveyed in 2027.
Not yet they aren’t.
KD to Sonics in 2027-28
Sonics should get their franchise history back.
They will. The last article about it said they would.
Great right lol.
Celtics will be 2nd Rd exit if Tatum is playing. Possibly 1st depending on who they play.
Without Tatum, they would be in the Finals
Celtics are a pleasant surprise for sure but i doubt they’ll beat Denver or okc in a series. Sorry not sorry
Celtics might fare better in a series than many think. In a series a team has time to adjust and from what I read a big part of the Celtics surprising success this season has been due to the deep film and other intricate preparation by the coaching staff and players.