The Boston Celtics continue their dominant season, securing a statement victory against the Brooklyn Nets to become just the third team to reach 50 wins this year, trailing only the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the Celtics have their sights set on an even bigger goal, as Kristaps Porzingis made clear in his postgame remarks.
Porzingis Eyes a 63-Win Season
When asked about reaching the 50-win milestone, Porzingis downplayed the significance, instead setting his sights on winning all the remaining games of the regular season. “No, we didn’t set a milestone to get to 50 or a specific number,” he stated. “Still, how many games we have left? 14 or something?… 13? So, maybe we should win the rest of 13 games and end up with 63. That would be a decent number.”
Porzingis acknowledged the challenge ahead, especially with a tough six-game road trip approaching. However, he maintained a confident outlook, saying, “We don’t have any specific goal. We just go game by game and see where we end up.”
When asked what a successful road trip would look like for Boston, he responded with high expectations: “For us, probably 6-0. I would say for us. We’ll see. Obviously, we expect to win every game. Maybe, I don’t know, a handful of games this season that we were not favorites. So, I don’t know what the betting odds will say, but probably yeah, trying to win every game… Yeah, 6-0, come back home would be perfect.”
Given how dominant the reigning champions have been this season, such a feat isn’t out of reach. However, there’s a major concern that could derail their pursuit of 63 wins—player health.
Balancing Wins and Health: The Celtics’ Internal Dilemma
Currently locked into the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics face a tough decision: should they push for the top seed or prioritize resting players to ensure peak health for the playoffs? According to Jayson Tatum, this question has sparked tension within the locker room.
Tatum, who has been playing through a lingering knee injury, admitted that the debate over rest has caused “a lot of head-butting for sure.” He explained his personal motivation to play every game, citing his desire to perform for fans who come to watch him. “I’ve come into arenas; I’ve seen a lot of Jayson Tatum jerseys and kids with my shoes on. It might be for their birthday or a Christmas gift or whatever. I try to stay ready and play as much as I can, especially games on the road.”
Tatum took a rest day against the Nets, but his mindset remains clear—he wants to be on the floor as much as possible.
Porzingis, who recently missed eight straight games due to illness, echoed Tatum’s sentiments, saying, “Yeah, I wanna definitely play. I need to get in the best shape. Now after the illness, it’s taken me a little bit. But yeah, with each day a little bit better.” He reassured reporters that his energy levels were improving but acknowledged that he is still working his way back to peak condition.
While no player wants to sit out games at this critical stage of the season, Porzingis also recognized that being fully healthy for the playoffs is the ultimate goal. “Just working my way back to the best shape and looking forward to having my best shape now going into the postseason,” he said.
Should the Celtics Chase 63 Wins or Prioritize Playoff Health?
The Celtics now face a critical choice—pushing for the number one seed or ensuring their key players are fresh for the postseason. While Porzingis’ 63-win goal is an ambitious one, it may not be worth the risk if it means wearing down their stars before the playoffs.
With 13 games left in the regular season and a demanding road trip ahead, Boston must carefully weigh their approach. Will they go all out for the best record, or will they focus on staying healthy for the ultimate. prize—an NBA championship?