Editing Boston Celtics (section)

===2016–present: Brown–Tatum era ("the Jays")===
{{main|Jays (Boston Celtics)}}
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In the [[2016 NBA draft]], the Celtics selected [[Jaylen Brown]] with the third pick. On July 8, 2016, the team signed four-time All-Star [[Al Horford]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Boston Celtics Sign Al Horford|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-al-horford|website=NBA.com|access-date=August 3, 2017|date=July 8, 2016|archive-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709091928/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-al-horford/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Celtics finished the [[2016–17 NBA season|2016–17 season]] with a 53–29 record and clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/04/12/celtics-clinch-1-seed-will-face-bulls-in-first-round/|title=Celtics Clinch #1 Seed; Will Face Bulls In First Round|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=September 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930175506/http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/04/12/celtics-clinch-1-seed-will-face-bulls-in-first-round/|url-status=live}}</ref> After a hip injury ended Thomas' playoff run in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2710816-isaiah-thomas-out-for-rest-of-2017-nba-postseason-with-hip-injury|title=Isaiah Thomas out for Rest of 2017 NBA Postseason with Hip Injury|first=Scott|last=Polacek|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=October 18, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902232511/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2710816-isaiah-thomas-out-for-rest-of-2017-nba-postseason-with-hip-injury|url-status=live}}</ref> the Celtics eventually lost to the Cavaliers in five games. Isaiah Thomas was selected for his second straight All-Star game and first All-NBA selection, finishing third in the league in scoring and fifth in MVP voting. For the [[2017 NBA draft]], the Celtics won the draft lottery, earning them the first pick.{{efn|This pick originally belonged to the [[Brooklyn Nets]], but was sent to the Celtics in the 2013 trade involving Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. The Nets had the worst record in the previous season, which gave the Celtics the highest chance of winning the lottery.}} They were projected to select freshman guard [[Markelle Fultz]], but the pick was subsequently traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the third pick in the 2017 draft and future picks.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Tim|date=June 19, 2017|title=Boston Celtics trade No. 1 overall draft pick to Philadelphia 76ers|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/19/boston-celtics-philadelphia-76ers-trade-draft-picks-0#/|access-date=October 8, 2017|website=NBA.com|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307231824/http://www.nba.com/article/2017/06/19/boston-celtics-philadelphia-76ers-trade-draft-picks-0#/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 76ers would go on to draft Fultz, while the Celtics used the third pick to select freshman forward [[Jayson Tatum]]. During the off-season, the team signed [[Gordon Hayward]].<ref>{{cite web|date=July 14, 2017|title=Boston Celtics Sign Gordon Hayward|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-gordon-hayward|access-date=August 3, 2017|website=NBA.com|archive-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803230658/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-gordon-hayward|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 22, 2017, the Celtics agreed to a deal that sent [[Isaiah Thomas (basketball)|Isaiah Thomas]], [[Jae Crowder]], Ante Žižić, and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for [[Kyrie Irving]].<ref>{{cite web|date=August 22, 2017|title=Celtics Acquire Four-Time All-Star Kyrie Irving|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-four-time-all-star-kyrie-irving|access-date=August 22, 2017|work=NBA.com|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831181509/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-four-time-all-star-kyrie-irving/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2017–2019: Kyrie Irving saga====
By the end of the off-season, only four Celtics' players remained from the [[2016–17 Boston Celtics season|2016–17 team]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Suddenly, only four Celtics remain from the 2016–2017 team – The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/08/22/celtics-turn-over-roster-time/RsW2CQloAYAye2DSSq3JFK/story.html|website=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=October 25, 2017|archive-date=May 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514155101/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/08/22/celtics-turn-over-roster-time/RsW2CQloAYAye2DSSq3JFK/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Marcus Smart]] being the longest-tenured Celtic from the [[2014 NBA draft]]. On the team's opening night game in the first quarter against the Cavaliers, Hayward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in his left leg,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Rapaport|first=Daniel|date=October 17, 2017|title=Gordon Hayward Suffers Dislocated Ankle, Fractured Tibia in First Quarter of Season Opener|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2017/10/17/gordon-haywayd-injury-news-update-serious-leg-injury|access-date=November 15, 2017|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|archive-date=October 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018174656/https://www.si.com/nba/2017/10/17/gordon-haywayd-injury-news-update-serious-leg-injury|url-status=live}}</ref> causing him to be ruled out for the rest of the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 28, 2017|title=Celtics granted $8.4M player exception for Gordon Hayward|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21196166/boston-celtics-granted-84m-disabled-player-exception-gordon-hayward|access-date=November 15, 2017|website=ESPN.com|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143723/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21196166/boston-celtics-granted-84m-disabled-player-exception-gordon-hayward|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the loss, the Celtics went on a [[List of National Basketball Association longest winning streaks|16-game winning streak]], which also went down as the fourth-longest winning streak in the teams' history.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Staff reports|title=Boston Celtics' winning streak ends at 16|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/11/18/boston-celtics-longest-winning-streaks|website=NBA.com|access-date=November 23, 2017|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020181207/https://www.nba.com/article/2017/11/18/boston-celtics-longest-winning-streaks|url-status=live}}</ref> The Celtics finished the year with a 55–27 record, good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round in seven games, and continued the feat in the Conference Semifinals by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in five games before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the Conference Finals.
[[File:Kyrie Irving free throw (cropped).jpg|thumb|Kyrie Irving played for Boston for two seasons making two all star appearances.]]
The Celtics finished the [[2018–19 NBA season|2018–19 season]] with a 49–33 record. Analysts started questioning the team's performance and chances for the championship when the Celtics had a 10–10 record after the first 20 games on November 24, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goss|first=Nick|date=November 20, 2018|title=Paul Pierce gives honest take on Celtics' disappointing start to season|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/paul-pierce-gives-honest-take-celtics-disappointing-start-season|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=nbcsports.com|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727022619/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/paul-pierce-gives-honest-take-celtics-disappointing-start-season|url-status=live}}</ref> The Celtics then won the next eight games improving their record to 18–10.<ref>{{cite web|last=Green|first=Dave|date=December 14, 2018|title=Celtics putting up unprecedented numbers over 8-game win streak|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-putting-unprecedented-numbers-over-8-game-win-streak|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=nbcsports.com|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727015932/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-putting-unprecedented-numbers-over-8-game-win-streak|url-status=live}}</ref> During the eight-game win streak, the Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 128–95, the New York Knicks 128–100, and also defeated the Chicago Bulls by 56 points (133–77), setting a record for the largest margin in a victory in franchise history, while also tying the record for largest victory margin by an away team.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|date=December 9, 2018|title=Celtics throttle Bulls by 56 points as both teams set records|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071064|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=[[ESPN]]|archive-date=December 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210100830/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401071064|url-status=live}}</ref> The Celtics finished the regular season in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. During an April 7 game, [[Marcus Smart]] injured his hip and was ruled out for the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 10, 2019|title=Celtics' Marcus Smart sidelined 4–6 weeks with oblique injury|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/10/report-marcus-smart-torn-oblique-out-two-rounds|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=nba.com|archive-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417105948/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/10/report-marcus-smart-torn-oblique-out-two-rounds|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2019 NBA playoffs|2019 playoffs]], the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the first round, and then lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.<ref>{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Mark|date=May 8, 2019|title=Celtics eliminated in ugly Game 5 loss to Bucks|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/08/celtics-season-comes-to-ugly-end/|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=bostonherald.com|archive-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511081457/https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/08/celtics-season-comes-to-ugly-end/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-06 |title=Why did Kyrie Irving leave the Celtics? Revisiting guard's promise to Boston, decision to sign with Nets {{!}} Sporting News Australia |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/kyrie-irving-leave-celtics-promise-nets/85f6bc4afeac27caa1012f4d |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-au}}</ref>

The Celtics held four picks in the [[2019 NBA draft]]. Following a series of transactions, the team landed [[Romeo Langford]] with the 14th pick and also added [[Grant Williams (basketball)|Grant Williams]], [[Carsen Edwards]], and [[Tremont Waters]] (2020 G-league Rookie of the year).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/06/21/everything-the-celtics-did-at-the-2019-nba-draft/|title=Everything The Celtics Did At The 2019 NBA Draft|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710223929/https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/06/21/everything-the-celtics-did-at-the-2019-nba-draft/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2019 off-season, Irving and Horford signed with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively. Irving left, despite promising to stay in Boston.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-06 |title=Why did Kyrie Irving leave the Celtics? Revisiting guard's promise to Boston, decision to sign with Nets {{!}} Sporting News Australia |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/kyrie-irving-leave-celtics-promise-nets/85f6bc4afeac27caa1012f4d |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-au}}</ref> On June 30, 2019, the Celtics and point guard [[Kemba Walker]] agreed to a four-year maximum contract worth $141 million. On July 6, 2019, the Celtics officially acquired Walker in a sign and trade with the Charlotte Hornets; the Celtics sent guard Terry Rozier and a protected 2020 second-round draft pick to Charlotte in exchange for Walker and a 2020 second-round draft pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-acquire-terry-rozier-boston-celtics-sign-and-trade-deal-kemba-walker|title=Charlotte Hornets Acquire Terry Rozier From Boston Celtics In Sign-And-Trade Deal For Kemba Walker|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709161126/https://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-acquire-terry-rozier-boston-celtics-sign-and-trade-deal-kemba-walker|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 1, 2019, the Celtics agreed to a two-year contract with center [[Enes Kanter]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27098241|title=Celtics pick up Kanter on 2-year, $10M contract|date=July 10, 2019|website=ESPN.com|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710223926/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27098241|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2019–2021: Rise of "the Jays" ====
Following the [[suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season]], the Celtics were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019–20 season with 22 teams returning to play |url=https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 10, 2020 |date=June 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022021825/https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2020 NBA playoffs|2020 playoffs]], the Celtics swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, beat the Toronto Raptors in a seven-game series, and fell to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 28, 2020|title=Celtics eliminated in Game 6 loss to Miami|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/09/27/celtics-eliminated-in-game-6-loss-to-miami/|access-date=November 23, 2020|website=Boston Herald|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025161330/https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/09/27/celtics-eliminated-in-game-6-loss-to-miami/|url-status=live}}</ref> Boston struggled with injuries in the 2020–21 season, with Walker, Tatum and Brown all missing games at different points in the season due to injury and COVID-19. Boston could not automatically qualify for the playoffs and were sent to the play-in tournament, where they defeated the [[Washington Wizards]] 119–100. In the playoffs, they lost to the Brooklyn Nets in five games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Playoffs: East First Round {{!}} Nets (2) vs. Celtics (7) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2021/east-first-round-2 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref>

====2021–22: First Finals appearance for the Jays====
On June 2, 2021, the Celtics named head coach Brad Stevens as president of basketball operations replacing [[Danny Ainge]] after he announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Danny Ainge Announces Retirement; Brad Stevens Promoted to President of Basketball Operations |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/danny-ainge-announces-retirement-brad-stevens-promoted-president-basketball |website=NBA.com |access-date=June 2, 2021 |date=June 2, 2021 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602154528/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/danny-ainge-announces-retirement-brad-stevens-promoted-president-basketball |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 18, Stevens made his first transaction in his new position trading away [[Kemba Walker]], the 16th pick in the [[2021 NBA draft]], and a 2025 second-round pick in exchange for former Celtic Horford, [[Moses Brown (basketball)|Moses Brown]], and a 2023 second-round pick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Celtics Acquire Five-Time All-Star Al Horford in Deal with Thunder |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/061821-celtics-acquire-five-time-all-star-al-hoford-in-deal-with-thunder |website=NBA.com |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=June 18, 2021 |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619204539/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/061821-celtics-acquire-five-time-all-star-al-hoford-in-deal-with-thunder |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 23, 2021, it was reported that Stevens had made the decision to hire [[Ime Udoka]] as his own replacement as head coach of the Celtics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boston Celtics finalizing choaching deal with Brooklyn Nets' Ime Udoka, sources say|date=June 23, 2021|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31694434/boston-celtics-finalizing-coaching-deal-brooklyn-nets-ime-udoka-sources-say|access-date=September 21, 2021|archive-date=May 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522193530/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31694434/boston-celtics-finalizing-coaching-deal-brooklyn-nets-ime-udoka-sources-say|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Boston Celtics to hire Ime Udoka: Brooklyn Nets Assistant to be named new coach, per report| newspaper=Cbssports.com| url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/boston-celtics-to-hire-ime-udoka-brooklyn-nets-assistant-to-be-named-new-coach-per-report/| access-date=September 21, 2021| archive-date=May 13, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513034335/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/boston-celtics-to-hire-ime-udoka-brooklyn-nets-assistant-to-be-named-new-coach-per-report/| url-status=live}}</ref> Tatum made his third All-Star appearance off the bench at the [[2022 NBA All-Star Game]] in Cleveland.

In April 2022, the Celtics qualified for the [[2022 NBA playoffs]] as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, having a 51–31 record; they swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2022 |title=2022 NBA playoffs first round: No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Nets |url=https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/4/12/23021112/celtics-vs-nets-nba-playoffs-2022-first-round-picks-predictions-odds-preview |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=DraftKings Nation |archive-date=April 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413031144/https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/4/12/23021112/celtics-vs-nets-nba-playoffs-2022-first-round-picks-predictions-odds-preview |url-status=live }}</ref> They next faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating both teams in seven-game series, earning the Celtics their first Finals appearance since 2010. The Celtics took a 2–1 series lead, but lost the next three games to lose to the Golden State Warriors 4–2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2022/06/17/warriors-beat-celtics-win-fourth-title-eight-seasons|title=Warriors Beat Celtics in Game 6 to Clinch Seventh NBA Championship|last=McDaniel|first=Mike|date=June 12, 2022|website=Si.com|publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=November 29, 2022|archive-date=November 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129110744/https://www.si.com/nba/2022/06/17/warriors-beat-celtics-win-fourth-title-eight-seasons|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2022–23: Conference finals loss====
In September, the Celtics suspended Udoka for the whole [[2022–23 Boston Celtics season|2022–23 season]] for engaging in an improper intimate relationship with a female staffer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2022 |title=Celtics address Ime Udoka's one-year suspension for violating team policies: Takeaways from Boston's presser |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/celtics-address-ime-udokas-one-year-suspension-for-violating-team-policies-takeaways-from-bostons-presser/live/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> Assistant coach [[Joe Mazzulla]] replaced Udoka as the interim head coach.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Adam |last=Himmelsbach |title=Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for a year for violations of team policies, his future with team unclear |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |department=Sports |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/22/sports/celtics-suspend-coach-ime-udoka-year-will-make-joe-mazzulla-interim-coach/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> On February 16, 2023, Mazzulla was named the team's permanent head coach after leading the Celtics to a league-best 42–17 record at the [[NBA All-Star break]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grasso |first=Justin |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Sixers Rival Watch: Ime Udoka's Time With Celtics Finished |url=https://www.si.com/nba/76ers/news/sixers-rival-watch-ime-udokas-time-with-celtics-finished |access-date=May 2, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Philadelphia 76ers News, Analysis and More |language=en}}</ref> After overcoming a 3–2 deficit against the Philadelphia 76ers to advance to the [[2023 NBA playoffs|Eastern Conference Finals]], the Celtics fell behind 3–0 in a rematch against the Heat. They battled their way back to Game 7 thanks to a [[Derrick White]] buzzer-beater in Game 6, but the Heat ultimately prevented the first [[List of teams to overcome 3–0 series deficits|3–0 comeback]] in NBA history with a decisive win in Boston.

====2023–24: 18th championship for Boston====
[[File:Al Horford (51688343399) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Al Horford made an All-Star Appearance for Boston in 2018 and won his first championship in 2024.]]
During the 2023 off-season, the Celtics acquired [[Kristaps Porziņģis]] from the Wizards. In the trade, they sent [[Marcus Smart]] to the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] in a three-team deal,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kristaps Porzingis to Celtics, Marcus Smart to Grizzlies in 3-team deal |url=https://www.nba.com/news/kristaps-porzingis-trade-celtics-3-team-deal |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 7, 2023 |date=June 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206111700/https://www.nba.com/news/kristaps-porzingis-trade-celtics-3-team-deal |url-status=live }}</ref> and also traded [[Grant Williams (basketball)|Grant Williams]] to the Dallas Mavericks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mavericks land Grant Williams in 3-team sign-and-trade deal |url=https://www.nba.com/news/grant-williams-three-team-trade |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 7, 2023 |date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206111626/https://www.nba.com/news/grant-williams-three-team-trade |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 1, 2023, the Celtics acquired [[Jrue Holiday]] in exchange for [[Malcolm Brogdon]], [[Robert Williams III]] and two draft picks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Celtics acquire Jrue Holiday from Blazers |url=https://www.nba.com/news/jrue-holiday-traded-to-celtics-2023 |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 7, 2023 |date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130214450/https://www.nba.com/news/jrue-holiday-traded-to-celtics-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 7, 2024, before the trade deadline, the Celtics acquired [[Xavier Tillman]] from the Grizzlies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Esnaashari |first=Farbod |date=March 2, 2024 |title=Newest Member of Celtics Gives Honest Opinion on Team's Culture |url=https://www.si.com/nba/grizzlies/news/newest-member-of-celtics-gives-honest-opinion-on-teams-culture |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Memphis Grizzles News, Analysis and More |language=en}}</ref>

The Celtics finished the 2023–24 regular season with the best record in the NBA, securing a 64–18 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Ricardo Klein Contributing Sports |date=April 20, 2024 |title=NBA News: Heavy Favorites to Win Title This Season Revealed |url=https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/nba-news-boston-celtics-enter-playoffs-heavy-favorites-win-title-1892509 |access-date=April 21, 2024 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> After the regular season's close, the Celtics entered the 2024 NBA playoffs, defeating the [[Miami Heat]] in the first round, moving on to defeat the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in the East Semifinals, and moving on again to defeat the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern [[NBA conference finals|Conference Finals]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Playoffs: East First Round {{!}} Celtics (1) vs Heat (8) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/east-first-round-1 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Playoffs: East Semifinal {{!}} Celtics (1) vs. Cavaliers (4) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/east-semifinal-1 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Playoffs: East Final {{!}} Celtics (1) vs. Pacers (6) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/east-final |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> The Celtics' victory in the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, 2024, was accompanied by the announcement that [[Jaylen Brown]] had been selected as the NBA Eastern Conference Finals [[Most valuable player|MVP]], and Brown was presented with the [[Larry Bird trophy]], the first of his career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Playoffs: East Final {{!}} Celtics (1) vs. Pacers (6) |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/east-final |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA Conference Finals MVP Award Winners |url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-conference-finals-mvp-award-winners |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> The Celtics would go on to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in five games to win the NBA Finals, their record-setting 18th championship and breaking the tie with the Lakers (who have 17).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title='It means the world': Celtics earn record 18th title |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40375053/celtics-stomp-mavericks-game-5-clinch-record-18th-nba-title |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>