
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
The Boston Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown and with Jayson Tatum back, have secured their fifth consecutive 50-win season, defying predictions of a setback year. As the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, they are poised for another playoff run.
BOSTON (AP) ā The Boston Celtics heard loud and clear what everyone what was saying about them before this season. They heard all the predictions about how they would take a step back from the NBAās top tier with Jayson Tatum rehabbing from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in the playoffs last May. They heard the narrative that this would be a throwaway year, likely ending with Boston in the draft lottery, after an offseason shakeup that included the departures of key 2024 championship contributors Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. So, when the Celtics last month notched their 50th win for the fifth consecutive season, All-Star Jaylen Brown didnāt hold back in ripping that narrative into confetti. ā50 wins in a gap year,ā Brown posted on X, along with a shamrock emoji. Enough said. Now, as the Celtics prepare for their fourth straight playoff appearance under coach Joe Mazzulla as the Eastern Conferenceās No. 2 seed, they are whole again following Tatumās return last month. And the rest of the NBA is acknowledging what the Celtics have believed for some time: The sky remains the limit for this team. Though Brown, who seized the leadership reins during an MVP-caliber season, acknowledged that he was surprised āa littleā at least about just how well the cards have fallen for this group. āObviously, my mentality was come in and compete. But the way the group merged together as quickly as it did ā it didnāt take us long. I thought it would take us a littler longer," Brown said. "We were trending upward post-All-Star break. But we kind of figured it out maybe the first 10 or 15 games. We started clicking and gelling. That just doesnāt happen.ā With Tatum sidelined the first 65 games, Brown flourished as the No. 1 option and leader, taking his game to new levels on both the offensive and defensive ends. He post career-high averages in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1). He also got lots of support. Derrick White struggled offensively at times but remained a stalwart on defense, leading all NBA guards in contested shots (550) while ranking second among guards in blocks per game (1.3). Payton Pritchard adjusted his game, first as a starter and then by returning to the bench role that earned him Sixth Man of the Year honors last season. Sam Hauser remained a reliable threat from the 3-point line, and Neemias Queta grew his game in leaps in his first year as a starter. There were some questions about how Tatumās return on March 6 would affect the flow of a group that had learned to adjust and thrive without the sixth-time All-Star. Instead, Tatum has reacclimated himself in short order, averaging 21.8 points, 10 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 16 games. āQuite honestly I think itās impressive that heās gotten back to the level that heās at as fast as heās done it, while also keeping the main thing the main thing, which is remaining healthy and giving us the best chance to win every night,ā Mazzulla said. āItās a credit to him." One of the final hurdles to Tatum feeling ābackā came on April 9, when the Celtics visited the New York Knicks in his first game at Madison Square Garden since suffering his injury. He said the past month has strengthened a love for basketball he feared during rehab he might lose. āYou go through ups and downs mentally when you go through an injury, especially the one that I had,ā Tatum said. āMoments of doubt or things like that. But thereās definitely a sense of gratitude.ā For Brown, itās also put into perspective just how unlikely his nine seasons playing alongside Tatum have been. Famed Celtics duo Bill Russell and Bob Cousy played together for seven seasons. Shaquille OāNeal and Kobe Bryant played together for eight. āI think itās been a historic run. We were able to deliver a championship in 2024. Unfortunately, we had opportunities in the past that got away from us, but weāve been right there for a long amount of time. Weāve gained a lot of experience,ā Brown said. āEverything isnāt always perfect, but itās not supposed to be. Itās a part of the journey. ... Iām excited to go have another opportunity.ā Brown also has an eye on bringing more trophies to Boston. āIām still improving. Iām still getting better. Iām still learning. Iām still growing," he said. "I feel like Iām entering my prime and Iām excited to maximize my potential and then take advantage of every opportunity I have to win and just be a part of a team and be a part of something special.ā \\\_ AP NBA:
Jaylen Brown has posted career-high averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists this season.
Since returning on March 6, Jayson Tatum has averaged 21.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 16 games.
The Boston Celtics are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
During Jayson Tatum's absence, the Celtics thrived, with Jaylen Brown stepping up as the leader and the team achieving a 50-win season.

Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
A look at every first-round pick by Packers GM Brian Gutekunst since 2018.
Alex Ovechkin hints he may not have played his last game with the Capitals
Texas Longhorns welcome top-10 prospects Monshun Sales and John Meredith III this Thursday.
Subaru vs Hyundai: A New Rivalry at the 2026 Nürburgring 24h
Carlos Alcaraz pulls out of Barcelona Open after wrist injury
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.