The Boston Celtics were on track to secure the NBA’s best record, a milestone that would grant them home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Despite the likelihood of clinching eventually, they aimed to seal the deal sooner rather than later. Before their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach Joe Mazzulla urged the team to capitalize on their first opportunity to clinch, emphasizing the importance of experiencing and thriving under such pressure. 

“We definitely talked about it as a team,” Mazzulla said. “Talked about it before the game. Trying to treat this game as like the clincher to kind of put that on ourselves to do that. I think it was important for us to simulate that.”

Against the Thunder, the Celtics initially allowed their opponents to narrow the gap early in the second half. However, they swiftly regained control, with Payton Pritchard’s energetic play late in the third quarter shifting the momentum decisively in their favor. As the fourth quarter commenced, the Celtics’ determination to assert dominance intensified. They embarked on a decisive 12-4 run, extending their lead and demonstrating a collective mindset geared towards closing out games emphatically.

Throughout the game, both the starters and the bench unit contributed significantly to the Celtics’ success. Kristaps Porziņģis showcased his prowess with 27 points, while Jaylen Brown’s 15-point fourth-quarter surge helped secure the victory. However, it was the bench’s initial burst of energy, led by Pritchard and Al Horford, that set the tone and propelled the team forward.

Despite achieving the milestone of 60 wins for the first time since the 2008-09 season, the Celtics remain focused on their ultimate goal: playoff success. Brown emphasized the need for mental fortitude in facing challenges, acknowledging that every team will start afresh once the playoffs commence. While proud of their achievements, the Celtics understand that their success in the regular season is merely a precursor to the challenges that await them in the postseason.

Jaylen Brown is proud of Celtics’ recent win

Following the Boston Celtics’ decisive victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaylen Brown reflected on the team’s recent success in a post-game conference. Led by key players such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porziņģis, the Celtics delivered an impressive performance, dominating the Thunder with a final score of 135-100. When asked about his thoughts on the team achieving the best record with their recent win, Brown expressed his pride, stating, “It is an honor to be part of a 60-win team. A lot of hard work went into that, especially after coming up short last season… We are on track with 60 wins, but when the playoffs start, it’s all back to square one.” Brown emphasized the dedication and effort put forth by the team to attain their accomplishments.