The Celtics didn’t need to suit up Friday night to come away with one of the biggest wins of their NBA Cup run so far.
While Boston sat idle, the rest of Group C delivered a jolt. Atlanta, the only other unbeaten team in the group, was stunned by Chicago in overtime, 125-117. That result flipped the group picture in Boston’s favor and left the Celtics alone at the top at 2-0.
Now the Celtics sit in first place, with the Hawks, Bulls, and Wizards all at 1-1 and the Hornets stuck at 0-2. Boston’s point differential has also ballooned to +53, which is miles ahead of the pack. Washington is the only other team in the group with a positive mark, and it’s all the way down at +9.
There’s still work left in the group stage, with Boston set to face Atlanta and Washington later this month. If the Celtics win both, they’ll take Group C and would likely be the top seed in the East thanks to that massive point differential. But there’s still a wrinkle: head-to-head is the first tiebreaker, so a loss to either the Wizards or the Hawks could still open the door if that team finishes strong.
Even so, Boston is in excellent shape. If the Celtics win just one of their final two games, their point differential should be enough to push them through as a wild card, since that’s the first tiebreaker for those spots. Their +53 is the best in the Eastern Conference by a wide margin, with Miami next at +32 and nobody else above +16.
The Hawks still looked like the toughest threat in the group, and maybe they still are. But their loss to the Bulls was a real surprise, especially with Chicago entering the night at 1-9 and missing Caleb Wilson, while Atlanta came in at 7-5.
Boston closes group play in Washington on November 24th and then hosts Atlanta on November 27th. The Celtics should be favored in both, and if they take care of business, they’ll be positioned to host the quarterfinals and semifinals at TD Garden, with a potential championship game at Brad Stevens’ old stomping ground, Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University. Everything is lined up for a storybook finish - now the Celtics just have to finish the job.
In Other News...
Kyrie Irving Rumors Could Create A New Celtics Playoff Threat
Kyrie Irving is back on the floor for Dallas after last seasons knee injury, and that alone is enough to make the league pay attention. For Celtics fans, it is a familiar name with fresh relevance, because Irvings return has reopened the conversation around where he fits, how long he stays, and which teams might decide he is worth the gamble.
The Mavericks have said they want to keep him, but the rumor mill is already spinning with the kind of interest that tends to follow a player of Irvings profile. Miami has been floated as one possible landing spot, which only adds another layer to a playoff picture that could get more complicated if the market starts moving before Dallas can settle the question. [Read more 🡒]
Paul George Could Make Brad Stevens Look Even Smarter
Paul George has given the Celtics exactly the kind of early return they hoped for after the Jaylen Brown trade, looking like a seamless fit and a player who can tilt a game on both ends when he is right. For Boston, the appeal goes beyond the box score. Georges presence has changed the shape of the roster conversation, giving Brad Stevens a proven star to build around while keeping the door open for flexibility if this partnership keeps moving in the right direction.
The bigger question is how long the Celtics can count on that version of George, and what kind of commitment makes sense if he keeps producing at this level. Health will matter every bit as much as performance, because Boston does not just need him to be good now, it needs him to stay on the floor and justify a long-term plan that fits the cap and preserves roster options. If George keeps delivering, Stevens could end up looking even sharper for making the deal in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Are Winning Close Games Without Their Best Late Offense
The Celtics have found a way to survive the tightest moments this season even when their offense has not been at its sharpest. In clutch situations, Boston has leaned on defense and trips to the line to close out games, with Jayson Tatum and Paul George helping carry the load when possessions get heavy and every mistake matters.
What stands out is how much room there still is for the late-game offense to grow. Boston has not shot especially well in those moments, but the team keeps stacking wins because its defense has made it hard for opponents to get clean looks, turning close finishes into something the Celtics have been able to manage rather than fear. [Read more 🡒]