Celtics clinch playoff spot with seven regular season games remaining

The New York Knicks aren’t the only organization that has punched its ticket to the postseason in late March. 

The Boston Celtics, who still have seven regular-season games remaining on their schedule, are officially in the 2026 postseason.

“The Celtics have clinched a playoff spot for the 12th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the NBA,” ESPN wrote Tuesday. “This playoff appearance comes only two seasons after the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, claiming the franchise's 18th championship.”

Boston began the 2025-26 campaign without its star forward Jayson Tatum, who suffered a devastating Achilles injury during the 2025 playoffs. Impressively, though, the 2024 NBA champions performed well without Tatum on the hardwood, winning 41 of their first 62 contests. 

Jaylen Brown deserves a majority of the credit for Boston’s early-season success.  The California product elevated his play on the offensive end in Tatum’s absence and ensured that the franchise remained afloat. 

Brown is averaging 28.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game this season, shooting 47.4% from the field and 34.2% from deep. 

The Celtics, who currently boast a 50-25 record, are four games back from the Detroit Pistons for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Regardless of their seed, Boston will be among the most dangerous 2026 championship contenders.

More NBA: Former Knicks star, six-time All-Star inducted into Hall of Fame