Celtics Clinch Two Seed, Tie NBA Record In Historic Rout Of Pelicans

Celtics Clinch Two Seed, Tie NBA Record In Historic Rout Of Pelicans originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . On Friday night, the Boston Celtics clinched the two seed in the Eastern Conference by doing what they've been doing for the last four years under Joe Mazzulla: hitting a bunch of threes.

The Celtics routed the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden, 144-118, in their penultimate game of the regular season. They bounced back from Thursday's road loss to the New York Knicks with one of the best offensive performances in league history, tying an NBA record with 29 made 3-pointers. Boston showed no mercy on the shorthanded Pelicans, who ruled out eight players before the game as they continue to tank.

The Celtics came out on a mission, erupting for 44 points in the first quarter and 82 points in the first half to put the game out of reach early. 29 THREES 🎯 Celtics tie the NBA record for most 3PM in a game, and clinch the #2 seed in the East 🔥 pic. twitter.

com/MRmCu627rA — NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2026 That allowed Joe Mazzulla to rest his starters for most of the second half as Boston's bench did much of the damage, outscoring the starters 75-69. Four of the six Celtics who scored in double figures were reserves as Mazzulla emptied the bench. Sam Hauser led Boston in scoring with 24 points on eight 3-pointers, proving once and for all that his early-season slump is behind him.