Jaylen Brown Carries Celtics To 12th Straight Playoffs

Merlin reports the Boston Celtics clinched a playoff spot for the 12th straight year with a 114-99 win over the Charlotte Hornets. After Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles and the departures of Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, Boston stayed elite because Jaylen Brown stepped up and Joe Mazzulla steadied the ship. Tatum returned in March while Brown is pacing the team with a career-high 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Merlin notes the defense remains the engine, with Boston allowing just 107.0 points per game, and role players like Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta filling bigger minutes. The East still runs through New York and Cleveland, and Detroit’s loss of Cade Cunningham loosens one path. If Tatum’s rhythm returns and health holds, the Celtics’ streak could turn into a real title run.