When asked before the game what he was most proud of regarding his team’s performance this regular season, Joe Mazzulla didn’t need much time to think.
“[They] treat every game the same,” Mazzulla said. “Open-minded towards getting better and competing at a high level.”
Since day one, Mazzulla has instilled this idea “mindset” into his team. Even with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Al Horford sidelined, that message remained clear, as has been the case all year. The Celtics demonstrated this with a 132-122 victory over the Washington Wizards.
With the win, the Celtics concluded the 2023-24 season with a 64-18 record, the fourth-most wins in franchise history. In two of the previous three seasons the Celtics have reached the 64-win mark, they went on to win the NBA Finals.
The 10-point victory was Boston’s 42nd win by double-digits, further enhancing their dominance with a scoring margin of +930 (+11.3 per game), setting a franchise record and ranking fifth-best in league history. The Celtics’ +930 margin is the best regular-season mark since the 2016-17 Warriors (+954).
Additionally, Boston finished a remarkable 14 games ahead in the Eastern Conference, marking the most significant gap in conference standings since 1976.
It’s fair to say this “mindset” philosophy has paid off.
“You have to appreciate that,” Mazzulla said on reaching 64 wins. “It’s important to take it for what it is. Have an appreciation of it, focus on the relationships and the things that we’re able to build this season, and take that into the playoffs... It’s definitely something that you want to be grateful for.”
Four Celtics finished in double figures scoring, including Svy Mykhailiuk, who scored a career-high 26 points. As a team, Boston shot 57.3% from the field and 50.0% from distance while also amassing 15 blocks and 10 steals.
Boston’s 15 blocked shots fell just one short of tying the franchise record since blocks became an official statistic in 1974, marking the team’s highest tally since recording 16 against Brooklyn in January 2019.
Eugene Omoruyi and Jared Butler led the way for the Wizards in the setback, finishing with 26 and 22 points, respectively.
Here are three takeaways as the Celtics end the season on a high note.
Payton Pritchard is a man of his word
After scoring a career-high 31 points on 14-of-22 (63.6%) shooting in just three-quarters of play before sitting out the fourth quarter during Friday night’s win over the Hornets, Pritchard was asked if he had wanted to stay in the game to add to his impressive tally.
“Not at all,” Pritchard said. “I’m not really stat-chasing. Eventually, in my career, I’ll get another opportunity.”
It turns out he didn’t have to wait long for that opportunity.
The 26-year-old finished with a career-high 38 points on 15-of-21 (71.4%) shooting, 12 assists, and nine rebounds. He joined Jogn Havlicek, Larry Bird, and Bob Cousy as the only players in Celtic history to have back-to-back 30-point, 10-assist double-doubles.
In the final two games of the regular season, Pritchard shot 67.4% from the field and 50.0% from deep, totaling 69 points with 23 assists, 12 rebounds, and just four turnovers.
“Nah,” Pritchard dismissed postgame when asked if this end-of-season surge gives him extra confidence heading into the postseason. “I knew I could do this on a nightly basis, but when you have a team with as much talent as we have, you have to do other things to help winning. So this doesn’t do anything for me. I mean, it’s a great performance, but ultimately, I’m here to win a championship, and whatever that’s asked of me, I will do that.”
Pritchard is one of just 17 players in the NBA to appear in all 82 games. This stands in stark contrast to the previous season, when he appeared in only 48 games and averaged a mere 13.4 minutes per game, both marking career lows.
“He makes himself available every game. He’s competitive. He wants to win,” Mazzulla said on Pritchard playing in all 82 games. “He is always ready to play. I really appreciate his growth as a player, what he’s done for our team, and how he’s brought his game to another level, so it’s a credit to him.”
Neemias Queta continues to impress
The Sacramento Kings have to be kicking themselves for letting Queta go in favor of JaVale McGee because he appears to be an incredible developmental piece for the Celtics.
Queta continued to provide rock-solid minutes for the Celtics in Sunday’s win.
The seven-footer poured in a career-high 19 points, snagged nine rebounds, and had six blocks in just 19 minutes of player. He is the only player in NBA history to have 19 points, nine boards, and six rejections in fewer than 24 minutes.
The Portugal native’s six blocks also set a new career-best, as he joined Kristaps Porzingis as the only two Celtics to register at least 19 points and six blocks in a game this season, and the seventh player in franchise history joining Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Porzingis, Dave Cowens, Dino Radja, and Al Horford.
Not too shabby.
The importance of developing young players, especially considering upcoming CBA restrictions and current salary cap limitations, cannot be overstated.
While Queta may not get much playing time in the postseason, his contributions this season have highlighted his value to the organization. He consistently makes an impact whenever he’s been called upon.
Jordan Walsh gets first career start
It’s been a busy week for the rookie.
Amid a G-Leauge championship pursuit, Jordan Walsh made his first career NBA start on Sunday afternoon.
Although his numbers won’t necessarily pop off the page — he finished with one point on 0-of-2 shooting, three boards, an assist, and two steals in 17 minutes of work — the 20-year-old provided solid defensive activity, much to Joe Mazzulla’s pleasure.
“Understanding that defense is the most important thing, and it doesn’t matter what you do. He only took two shots today, but I thought he impacted the game defensively,” Mazzulla said postgame on what he’s liked most about Walsh’s development.
“That’s what a role player has to be able to do. You never know if you’re going to start, if you’re going to come off the bench, if you’re going to even touch the ball. You may not touch it, but it’s your job to go find it. So, I think it’s just his understanding of what NBA defense is. I’ve seen a huge growth in that, and I think that’s important.”
The Arkansas product has simply done his job. He isn’t forcing anything or playing any differently than what his role will be once he gets to the NBA full-time. I might not be glaringly obvious on the stat sheets, but the rookie appears to be progressing quite nicely in Maine.
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