The Boston Celtics are just one win away from clinching the Atlantic division and the second seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and the only thing standing in their way is the New York Knicks, the team that notoriously took them down in the postseason last year.
The Celtics’ game on Thursday in New York comes as the first time Jayson Tatum will play in Madison Square Garden since tearing his Achilles tendon back in May, and what that storyline might lead headlines, Boston is inches away from clinching the second seed for the playoffs this year.
However, while the Celtics are just one game away from clinching a top-two seed in the East, the team announced several concerning injury updates that could impact chances of winning against the Knicks in one of the team’s biggest games of the season.
Boston Celtics Playoffs News, 2nd Seed Within Reach
GettyBOSTON, MA – MARCH 18: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at TD Garden on March 18, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
News of the Celtics on the verge of clinching the second seed comes shortly after Jaylen Brown dropped his ‘50 wins in a gap year‘ comment, as without Tatum, it was expected Boston wouldn’t remain competitive without the team’s leading scorer.
However, it was Brown who stepped up in his place, having a career-year and leading the Celtics to the second best record in the East for much of the regular season.
“Obviously [Brown’s] somebody that’s always been capable,” Tatum told ESPN. “This was just an opportunity where more was required from everybody, but especially him. The NBA is all about opportunity and the guys who really make the most out of it. The special ones do, and that’s exactly what he’s been able to do this year.”
Now, the Celtics are one win away from clinching another division title, and potentially home-court advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs. Boston is three wins ahead of the Knicks in the standings, and with a win, which would subsequently result in a New York loss, the gap would be too big for the Madison Square Garden team to overcome.
Still, a Celtics win against the Knicks won’t come easy, as New York beat them in the playoffs last year, a series that already looked over before Tatum went down with the injury. Now, in one of Boston’s biggest games of the season, the team has several key players on the injury report that could impact any chances of winning and clinching the second seed in the East.
Celtics Injury Report Vs Knicks, Jayson Tatum Status
Before the Celtics vs Knicks game, Boston has four players listed as questionable on the injury report.
Brown is dealing with Achilles tendinitis, an injury that kept him out a few weeks ago. Sam Hauser has lower back spasms. Derrick White has a right knee contusion. Neemias Queta has a toe injury that could keep him out.
While all of those typical starters are currently questionable, the good Celtics news is that Tatum expects to play in his return to Madison Square Garden since suffering the torn Achilles that kept him out for 300 days.
“Obviously, I knew at some point I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again. So, it’s going to have to be this Thursday,” he said, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “But it’s not like I’m thrilled about it. But it’s part of it. I decided to come back and play, so I’m not necessarily skipping certain games. I can’t play back-to-backs right now, but I decided to come back and play, so it’s just another game on the schedule.”
Tatum has played in 15 games since returning, putting up a strong 21.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 41.9% shooting in 32.1 minutes. While he is playing against the Knicks on Thursday, the Celtics still have injury concerns that will need to be addressed before the game.
Regardless, a win clinches the second-seed, and proves this wasn’t a gap year for Boston.
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