Celtics Defy Odds, Roll into Playoffs

0:00It's April 9th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Boston Celtics News today, AI-powered updates on your squad. Last September on Media Day, Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens called for patience with the new roster, but quickly added, don't put a ceiling on. Us, pundits off laws with missing starters and Jason Tatum out for months from a rupture to killies, projecting low expectations. Yet Stevens and coach Joe Missoula stayed bullish. Even Missoula telling Derek White how much he loved the underdog vibe. The team proved them right, going 41 and 21 without Tatum, smashing pre-season odds. Since his return on March 6th, they've added a 13 and 2 record, looking unstoppable. Fans and experts were stunned, as the Celtics leaned on familiar faces. Missoula focused on the knowns like Jalen Brown, who thrives with a chip on his shoulder. Brown stepped up huge, posting career highs and earning MVP buzz while leading the squad. Tuesday night, they beat the Charlotte Hornets, 113-102, improving to 54 and 25.

1:05Veterans like White, Peyton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser won games, plus surprises from Nia Mayas-Caita and Jordan Walsh. One win from locking the second seat in the east, Stevens still sees no limits heading into playoffs. Their faith raised the bar when others lowered it, and now Boston's rolling deep into the postseason hunt.