The Boston Celtics are going to be on the outside looking in at the NBA Cup for the second year in a row.
After getting bounced in the knockout rounds last winter, the Celtics did not advance out of group play in 2024 — with Boston’s hopes of earning a wild-card spot dashed after several scenarios didn’t go their way.
Even though the Celtics finished group play with a 3-1 record, so did the Atlanta Hawks — who defeated Boston, 117-116, on Nov. 12 to earn the tie-breaker over the reigning champions.
With Atlanta winning Group C, the Celtics needed several breaks on Tuesday to sneak in as the wild-card club:
- The Orlando Magic needed to beat the New York Knicks OR the Knicks needed to win by 37+ points.