The Celtics Started 0-3 and Just Made NBA History That Only 4 Teams Have Ever Done
Remember when the Boston Celtics looked absolutely cooked to start the 2025-26 season? Yeah, that 0-3 start felt like a disaster. Fast forward to Game 82, and they just locked up the 2 seed while doing something that has only happened 4 times in NBA history: starting 0-3 and finishing with 55+ wins.
This is insane when you really think about it. The Celtics were 5-7 in mid-November. Terrible start. But they finished with no fewer than 55 wins and are sitting with the top 4 record in the league, the 2nd best offense, the 4th best defense, and the 4th best net rating in the entire NBA. These are not the numbers of a team that should have started in a ditch.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiA 55-Win Season That Feels Impossible for Boston
Here's where it gets wild: this is officially the lowest win total of the Mazzulla Era. If the Celtics beat Orlando in their finale, they'll hit 56 wins, which would be the most wins in a non-Mazzulla season since 2010-11, more than a decade ago. Let that sink in. The "gap year" Celtics are about to have more wins than nearly every other team Boston has fielded since 2011.
In 80 seasons of Celtics basketball, if they hit 56 wins, it will be the 12th highest win total in franchise history. Only 11 teams in franchise history have been better. And remember: only 4 teams in the entire NBA hit 55+ wins this season. The Hornets have been around for 36 years and have never done it. The Pelicans have only done it once in 24 years. Winning 55 games is legitimately hard.
The Lockdown on a Top 2 Seed
The Celtics officially took over the 2 seed on January 15th when they hit 25-15. From that point forward, they did not spend a single day outside the top 2 over the remaining 42 games. Not one. That's dominance.
Coming off 61, 64, and 57 win seasons, these numbers might feel normal for Celtic fans. But for the rest of the league? This is historic. And with Tatum back in the mix, Boston just made it incredibly clear they're walking into the postseason as a legit contender.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about The Celtics.
View X conversation →This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.