The Boston Celtics have been on a tear lately, and their latest performance against the New Orleans Pelicans sent a clear message to the rest of the NBA: this team is locked in and ready for the postseason. On April 10, 2026, the Celtics stormed to a 144-118 victory over the Pelicans at TD Garden, clinching the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 playoff seed and the Atlantic Division title. But the night wasn’t just about the scoreboard—it was a showcase of historic shooting, emerging talent, and the resilience that has defined Boston’s season.
Sam Hauser was the man of the moment, drilling eight three-pointers on his way to a 24-point night. The Celtics as a whole were simply unstoppable from beyond the arc, tying both their franchise and the NBA record with 29 made threes. That’s right—twenty-nine! The feat matched Boston’s own record set against the Knicks back in October 2024, and equaled marks previously set by the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks. For fans at the Garden, it was a night to remember, as eight different Celtics players splashed at least two threes each.
Jaylen Brown, returning to action after resting a sore left Achilles, wasted no time making his presence felt. He poured in 12 points in the opening quarter, helping the Celtics to an early 22-point cushion. Brown finished with 23 points in just 29 minutes, sitting out the entire fourth quarter as the game quickly got out of reach for the Pelicans. "A lot of learning," Brown said earlier this season about the team’s journey. The learning is clearly paying off.
Payton Pritchard also stepped up in a big way, tallying 21 points and dishing out 10 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and confidence. But perhaps the most heartwarming moment came from big man Neemias Queta, who not only grabbed 10 rebounds but also knocked down his first career three-pointer. The Celtics’ bench erupted as Queta’s shot found the bottom of the net, another sign of the camaraderie and depth that’s become a hallmark of this Boston squad.
The Celtics’ three-point barrage was ignited by Brown’s early scoring, but it was a true team effort. The ball zipped around the perimeter, finding open shooters time and again. Whether it was Hauser’s quick release, Pritchard’s steady hand, or Queta’s unlikely bomb, the Celtics made the Pelicans pay for every defensive lapse. By the time the dust settled, Boston had led by as many as 41 points, leaving no doubt about their playoff intentions.
It’s worth noting that Boston accomplished all this without their superstar Jayson Tatum, who was given the night off to rest after returning from Achilles tendon surgery. The decision to rest Tatum reflects the Celtics’ long-term focus; with the postseason looming, keeping their key players healthy is paramount. Yet, even without Tatum, the Celtics didn’t miss a beat—a testament to their depth and system.
On the other side, it was a tough night for the New Orleans Pelicans, who were shorthanded and struggling to find answers. Jeremiah Fears did his best to keep things respectable, pouring in 36 points, while Derik Queen added a strong double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. But the Pelicans, missing stars like Zion Williamson (right knee), Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray, simply couldn’t keep pace. It’s been a rough stretch for New Orleans, who have now lost nine of their last ten games and will miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
For Boston, the win was about more than just seeding—it was a celebration of the team’s developmental success stories. Rookie Max Shulga, for example, has been turning heads with his rapid rise. On March 22, Shulga made franchise history by playing for both the Maine Celtics (Boston’s G League affiliate) and the Boston Celtics on the same day. After logging 28 minutes in Maine’s win over the Cleveland Charge, Shulga hustled down to TD Garden and scored his first NBA points—a milestone four-point outing against the Timberwolves. "It was exciting," Shulga said of his promotion to the standard roster, which now makes him playoff-eligible. "Something that you kind of work towards your whole life and dream about until it actually becomes real. Definitely a lot of work to do still."
Shulga’s journey is emblematic of Boston’s approach to roster building. Drafted 57th overall in 2025, he spent much of the season developing in the G League, where he averaged 11.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, shooting an impressive 40% from three-point range. His story mirrors those of teammates Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Jordan Walsh, Ron Harper Jr., and Baylor Scheierman—all players who started on two-way contracts or honed their skills in the G League before making their mark in the NBA. Shulga, who played five years of college ball at Utah State and VCU (including a stint as Queta’s teammate), is eager to keep learning and contributing. "All the workouts are tailored to the way we play," Shulga explained. "In-game situations. I would say that every time we’re shooting or playing, we’re running stuff, the positions that we can potentially be in games in. So it’s translatable to in-game situations."
As the Celtics prepare for the postseason, the blend of veteran leadership and developmental success has fans buzzing. The team’s ability to adapt, rest key players, and still deliver record-setting performances speaks volumes about their championship aspirations. With the No. 2 seed locked up and the Atlantic Division banner secured, Boston can now look ahead to their next challenge: a home matchup against the Orlando Magic on April 12. The Pelicans, meanwhile, will try to regroup as they visit Minnesota on the same night.
The Celtics’ victory over the Pelicans wasn’t just another win—it was a statement. With historic shooting, a deep and versatile roster, and a clear eye on the prize, Boston has set the stage for what could be a thrilling playoff run. The TD Garden faithful will be watching closely as the postseason drama unfolds.