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Celtics' Playoff Heartbreak: A Look Back
25 May
Summary
- Celtics missed two consecutive Eastern Conference Finals.
- Key players' injuries impacted playoff runs significantly.
- Multiple series were lost in close Game 7s at home.
The Boston Celtics have recently experienced a period of falling short in the Eastern Conference Finals, marking their second consecutive absence from this stage, a streak not seen since the 2015-2016 seasons. The article revisits several of these painful playoff exits.
In 2017, the Celtics were outmatched by LeBron James' Cavaliers. Despite a strong season led by Isaiah Thomas, his injury exposed the team's limitations against top-tier competition. The following year, a heavily injured Celtics squad defied expectations, reaching Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Cleveland, only to lose due to poor shooting from key players.
The 2020 season saw the Celtics fall to the Heat in the bubble, with a crucial block on Jayson Tatum's dunk attempt becoming a defining moment. Despite a strong start in 2022, they again lost to the Heat in a dramatic Game 7. The 2023 playoffs brought another shocking Conference Finals exit against the 8th-seeded Heat, marked by a historic 0-3 comeback attempt that ultimately failed.
The narrative shifted in 2024 as the Celtics dominated, sweeping the Pacers en route to the NBA Finals, where they secured their first championship since 2008.
