The second-seeded Boston Celtics simply bought upset by the seventh-seeded 76ers, but we simply witnessed them do one thing that now we have by no means seen earlier than. They’ve made the playoffs for the eleventh straight yr.
They’ve performed Philly 4 occasions over that timeframe. We’ve seen Boston within the postseason many occasions earlier than. What’s loopy is how they ended up right here this time.
All through the whole thing of their storied historical past, the Celtics have by no means had a extra erratic yr than this. One yr in the past the defending champs have been locked in a second spherical playoff battle with New York.
Boston dropped the primary two video games in odd-defying trend, and when it appeared just like the collection couldn’t get any worse, Jayson Tatum went down with a torn Achilles. The roster that introduced Boston their eighteenth banner was then torn aside within the offseason in an effort to remain under the wage cap and keep away from the newly applied second apron.
Similar to that, the C’s went from contenders to a lottery group in a matter of weeks. NBA.com’s preseason projected them to complete twenty fourth and, like many different sources, anticipated the Celtics stalling till Tatum’s return.
The Celtics outperformed expectations this season
Quick ahead just some weeks into the season, nonetheless, they usually weren’t enjoying just like the sixth-worst group within the league. They seemed just like the Celtics we knew, powered by an All-NBA season from Jaylen Brown.
Gamers like Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta stepped their video games up and have been benefiting from a hobbled Jap Convention. Even when issues have been secure heading into the All-Star break, Boston was dealt extra adversity when Anfernee Simons and his 14 ppg have been shipped off on the commerce deadline.
Joe Mazzula navigated the scenario completely, although, like he had all season, and with sixteen video games left to the season, Jayson Tatum made his miraculous return. The Celtics defied all odds and by some means discovered themselves within the postseason only a yr after what appeared like their imminent collapse.
The Pacers and the Bucks have been in the identical place because the Celtics
Whereas this alone is a loopy timeline, evaluating it to the season the Pacers had makes it even crazier. The Pacers have been three quarters away from a title when Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles. Their chaos continued when Myles Turner departed in free company, however many have been optimistic for the approaching yr.
Position gamers like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith confirmed promising flashes, and a yr with out their star would pressure them to enhance their sport to fill the void. Each the Celtics and Pacers misplaced their finest gamers to Achilles accidents and key starters to free company.
A yr later and Boston was nonetheless contending within the east whereas the Pacers endured a 19-win season, securing one of the best lottery odds. The Bucks additionally skilled a meltdown of types after they misplaced Damian Lillard, which drastically altered their standing as a group on the prime of the league.
The Celtics ought to have been among the many groups competing for a prime decide. As an alternative, right here we’re. In brief, the Celtics misplaced Tatum, parted methods with Jrue Vacation, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford, and traded away their finest bench scorer on the commerce deadline.
They bought Tatum again and have been favored in a playoff collection. Multi function yr. That’s wild. So whereas they did surrender a 3-1 lead, their season was really outstanding.
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