The
That doesn’t mean they are lacking for experience — or don’t already know what it’s like to play in the
“We have three 30-year-olds,” Celtics coach
“You know, it’s funny. I talk all the time about, you’re only scrutinized if you’re in the arena. And Jaylen and Jayson, this is all they’ve done. All they’ve done is play in, now it’ll be three
They’re about to get more.
Game 1 is Tuesday, Game 2 is Thursday and Game 3 next Saturday. The rest of the series could follow the every-other-day format; that’ll be determined once the
The Celtics are looking for their first NBA Finals trip since 2010. They’ve been to the East finals three times since, losing to
“We didn’t come down here just for the first or second round,” Tatum said. “We didn’t really pay attention to outside noise, whether we were favoured or not. We know what we’re capable of and we’re just going to go out there and do it.”
The Celtics could be getting another big part of who they are back at some point in the East finals.
“But I don’t know when,” Stevens said.
Hayward coming back will only make
Walker said the Celtics would spend a little time celebrating Friday night, then get right back to work on Saturday. Wins are only harder to get now, and Walker made no effort to hide his joy and relief after Game 7.
“Unreal,” Walker said. “It feels unreal. It’s a great feeling. It took us seven games. It’s a special group we have. We fought, we clawed. Much respect to
And the East finals are their reward.
For those Celtics who don’t know what those games are like yet, Smart, Brown and Tatum can tell them all about it between now and Tuesday night.
“Other than that, we’re pretty young and pretty inexperienced in the playoffs,” Stevens said. “But as I said the other day, I’m not sure that really matters when you’re trying to win a game. You just focus on what you can control and try to play that game as well as you can.”
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