Celtics Become 8th NBA Team to Start Playoffs 12-2 or Better

The 2023-24 Boston Celtics are now officially the eighth NBA team to start the playoffs 12-2 or better after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, according to Stathead.

Boston Celtics join the Warriors, Cavaliers, Spurs, Nets, and Lakers

Boston joins the 2016-17 Warriors, 2016-17 Cavaliers, 2015-16 Cavaliers, 2014-15 Cavaliers, 2012-13 Spurs, 2002-03 Nets, and 2000-01 Lakers. The 2016-17 Warriors, 2015-16 Cavaliers, and 2000-01 Lakers all won the championship.

This is the second conference finals sweep in Celtics history. Last time, they won the NBA title in the 1985-86 season.

Boston is also advancing to its 23rd NBA Finals in franchise history.

Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell read off Jaylen Brown's name as the winner of the Larry Bird Trophy as Eastern Conference finals MVP, following Monday night's 105-102 Game 4 series-clinching victory over Indiana.

The @Celtics are the 8th team since 2000 to start the playoffs 12-2 or better.#NBA | #DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/dPDbw67VVX

— Stathead (@Stathead) May 28, 2024

“I wasn't expecting it at all,” Brown said, with the trophy sitting next to him at the podium, before adding with a smile, “I don't never win s—t. ...  I'm just happy that we won.”

“And give credit to Indiana, they played us tough. I know people think that Indiana wasn't a good team or whatever the case may be, but I thought they were as tough as anybody we played all season,” Brown said. “They were physical, they were fast, they put a lot of pressure on us. So shout out to them, and respect to them.”

Brown averaged 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 51.7% from the field.

Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum have played 102 playoff games together

Furthermore, Brown and Jayson Tatum have played 102 playoff games together. That's the fifth most by a duo that has never won a championship together. John Stockton and Karl Malone lead the all-time list with 172 playoff games.

The most playoff games played by a duo prior to winning a title is 83, which was set by Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry for the 2010-11 Mavericks. If the Celtics win an NBA-record 18th championship this season, Tatum and Brown would have the most playoff games played by a duo prior to winning a title.

Through 14 playoff games this postseason, the Celtics have won seven straight playoff games, are 6-0 on the road, and are 3-0 in elimination games. Indiana entered the ECF having gone 6-0 at home — only to lose two straight games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to Boston.

This is the Celtics' second NBA Finals in three seasons as well.

At age 35, coach Joe Mazzulla is also the youngest head coach to reach the NBA Finals since Bill Russell in 1969.