2017–18 Boston Celtics season

2017–18 Boston Celtics season
Head coach	Brad Stevens
General manager	Danny Ainge
Owners	Wyc Grousbeck
Arena	TD Garden
Results
Record	10–2 (.833)
Place	Division: 1st (Atlantic) Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	NBC Sports Boston
Radio	WBZ-FM

The 2017–18 Boston Celtics season is the 72nd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They originally acquired the number one pick of the NBA draft due to a previous trade involving the Brooklyn Nets, only to then trade it to the Philidelphia 76ers in exchange for two different draft picks, including the third pick of the 2017 draft. The team used this pick to select freshman forward Jayson Tatum. They also acquired Gordon Hayward in free agency on July 7, 2017 and Kyrie Irving via trade on August 22 in exchange for Ante Žižić, Jae Crowder, star point guard Isaiah Thomas, the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected first round pick in the 2018 NBA draft, and later adding a 2020 second round pick, originally from the Miami Heat, eight days later. The Celtics played the first game of the regular season on October 17, 2017 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Irving's former team, and will retire the number 34 of former small forward Paul Pierce on February 11, 2018 prior to a game against the Cavaliers.

Draft picks

Main article: 2017 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	3	Jayson Tatum	SF	United States	Duke
2	37	Semi Ojeleye	PF	United States	Southern Methodist
2	53	Kadeem Allen	SG	United States	Arizona
2	56	Jabari Bird	SG	United States	California

Despite owning the best record of the entire Eastern Conference the previous season, the Celtics would win themselves the #1 pick due to them activating the right to swap what's originally their own first round draft pick (which was pick 26) with the Brooklyn Nets, who in contrast held the worst record of the entire NBA that same season, thanks to a previous, infamous trade with the Nets where the Celtics traded, alongside both role players Jason Terry and D.J. White, superstars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in exchange for many more players and multiple first round draft picks that were considered unprotected and the right to swap first round picks in the 2017 NBA draft. However, on June 19, four days before the 2017 NBA draft commenced, the Celtics would trade that coveted pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the third pick of the draft (which was projected to be a small forward in either Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum) and either the Los Angeles Lakers' 2018 first round pick or maybe the Sacramento Kings' 2019 first round pick, depending on what happens this upcoming season. Other than that, the Celtics also hold three second round draft picks, each of which were acquired by trades, while losing their own second round pick as an added piece of help for the Nets later on down the line. Their first second round pick was acquired from the Phoenix Suns back when it was considered a first round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Brandan Wright. The next second round pick was had from the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside their 2016 second round pick and Keith Bogans in exchange for John Lucas III, Erik Murphy, Dwight Powell, Malcolm Thomas, and the protected rights of the Sacramento Kings' own second round picks from both 2015 and 2017. Finally, their last second round pick was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-way trade with the Phoenix Suns, where Boston would acquire Shavlik Randolph again and a trade exception from the Suns, as well as both Chris Douglas-Roberts and a second round pick from the Clippers.

With their top pick (and the one that Danny Ainge claimed would have taken as the #1 pick instead of Markelle Fultz), the Boston Celtics selected the 19 year old freshman small forward Jayson Tatum from Duke University over 20 year old freshman small forward Josh Jackson like many media outlets originally projected for them the moment they traded away their #1 pick. In his only season at Duke, Jayson averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game in over 29 games there, while also earning All-ACC Freshman Team and All-ACC Third Team honors throughout last season. In terms of their second round picks, the first one they took would be another small forward, this time being Semi Ojeleye, a transfer junior from Southern Methodist University (previously Duke University also). During his only year at Southern Methodist, Ojeleye helped lead the Mustangs to their second ever AAC Tournament victory by recording averages of 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game there. As a result of his efforts, he became the AAC Tournament's MVP that year, as well as be named to the All-ACC First Team, the AAC Player of The Year, and was an honorable mention via the Associated Press for the NCAA All-American Team. For the second of Boston's three second round picks, at #53, the Celtics selected senior shooting guard Kadeem Allen from University of Arizona. In his senior year at Arizona, he averaged 9.8 points and 4 rebounds per game, which would be enough for him to be named a member of the Pac-12 Second Team and Pac-12 Defensive Team. Finally, with their last second round pick at #56, Boston chose another senior shooting guard, this time being Jabari Bird from the University of California. During his last season at California, Bird averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Golden Bears, but he suffered a concussion during one of his last games there. Both Kadeem Allen and Jabari Bird would become the team's first ever players to sign two-way contracts with the team, meaning they get to split their playing time for at least this season between the Celtics and their NBA G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, with Maine holding them for the majority of this season as a result of the two-way contract's stipulations.

Roster

Boston Celtics roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G/F 7 Brown, Jaylen 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1996-10-24 California G 20 Davison, JD (TW) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-10-03 Alabama F 30 Hauser, Sam 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1997-12-08 Virginia G 4 Holiday, Jrue 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1990-06-12 UCLA F/C 42 Horford, Al 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1986-06-03 Florida C 40 Kornet, Luke 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1995-07-15 Vanderbilt F 13 Peterson, Drew (TW) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1999-11-09 USC F/C 8 Porziņģis, Kristaps 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1995-08-02 Latvia G 11 Pritchard, Payton 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-01-28 Oregon C 88 Queta, Neemias 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 1999-07-13 Utah State G/F 55 Scheierman, Baylor (GL) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2000-09-26 Creighton G 44 Springer, Jaden 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 2002-09-25 Tennessee F 0 Tatum, Jayson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1998-03-03 Duke F/C 26 Tillman, Xavier 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1999-01-12 Michigan State G/F 27 Walsh, Jordan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2004-03-03 Arkansas F 28 Watson, Anton (TW) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2000-10-06 Gonzaga G 9 White, Derrick 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1994-07-02 Colorado

Head coach Joe Mazzulla Assistant coach(es) Sam Cassell Anthony Dobbins Amile Jefferson Craig Luschenat D. J. MacLeay Ross McMains Matt Reynolds Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate (TW) Two-way affiliate player Injured Roster Last transaction: December 26, 2024

Standings

Division

Atlantic Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div	GP
c – Toronto Raptors	59	23	.720	–	34‍–‍7	25‍–‍16	12–4	82
x – Boston Celtics	55	27	.671	4.0	27‍–‍14	28‍–‍13	12–4	82
x – Philadelphia 76ers	52	30	.634	7.0	30‍–‍11	22‍–‍19	9–7	82
New York Knicks	29	53	.354	30.0	19‍–‍22	10‍–‍31	6–10	82
Brooklyn Nets	28	54	.341	31.0	15‍–‍26	13‍–‍28	1–15	82

Conference

Eastern Conference
#	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	GP
1	c – Toronto Raptors *	59	23	.720	–	82
2	x – Boston Celtics	55	27	.671	4.0	82
3	x – Philadelphia 76ers	52	30	.634	7.0	82
4	y – Cleveland Cavaliers *	50	32	.610	9.0	82
5	x – Indiana Pacers	48	34	.585	11.0	82
6	y – Miami Heat *	44	38	.537	15.0	82
7	x – Milwaukee Bucks	44	38	.537	15.0	82
8	x – Washington Wizards	43	39	.524	16.0	82
9	Detroit Pistons	39	43	.476	20.0	82
10	Charlotte Hornets	36	46	.439	23.0	82
11	New York Knicks	29	53	.354	30.0	82
12	Brooklyn Nets	28	54	.341	31.0	82
13	Chicago Bulls	27	55	.329	32.0	82
14	Orlando Magic	25	57	.305	34.0	82
15	Atlanta Hawks	24	58	.293	35.0	82

Game log

Preseason

2017 pre-season game log Total: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
Pre-season: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 2 Charlotte W 94–82 Daniel Theis (12) Daniel Theis (7) Jayson Tatum (5) TD Garden 18,624 1–0 2 October 6 @ Philadelphia W 110–102 Kyrie Irving (21) Al Horford (9) Gordon Hayward (5) Wells Fargo Center 17,668 2–0 3 October 9 Philadelphia W 113–96 Semi Ojeleye (16) Terry Rozier (10) Terry Rozier (6) TD Garden 18,624 3–0 4 October 11 @ Charlotte W 108–100 Kyrie Irving (16) Al Horford (8) Kyrie Irving (10) Spectrum Center N/A 4–0
2017–18 season schedule

Italic text===Regular season ===

2017–18 game log Total: 9–2 (Home: 3–1; Road: 6–1)
October: 5–2 (home: 2–1; road: 3–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 17 @ Cleveland L 99–102 Jaylen Brown (25) Jayson Tatum (10) Kyrie Irving (10) Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 0–1 2 October 18 Milwaukee L 100–108 Jaylen Brown (18) Jayson Tatum (9) Terry Rozier (6) TD Garden 18,624 0–2 3 October 20 @ Philadelphia W 102–92 Kyrie Irving (21) Al Horford (9) Irving, Larkin (4) Wells Fargo Center 20,816 1–2 4 October 24 New York W 110–89 Jaylen Brown (23) Al Horford (13) Kyrie Irving (7) TD Garden 18,624 2–2 5 October 26 @ Milwaukee W 96–89 Al Horford (27) Al Horford (9) Kyrie Irving (7) UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena 11,046 3–2 6 October 28 @ Miami W 96–90 Kyrie Irving (24) Al Horford (9) Marcus Smart (4) American Airlines Arena 19,600 4–2 7 October 30 San Antonio W 108–94 Kyrie Irving (24) Al Horford (13) Kyrie Irving (6) TD Garden 18,624 5–2
November: 4–0 (home: 1–0; road: 3–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 8 November 1 Sacramento W 113–86 Brown, Irving (22) Daniel Theis (10) Marcus Smart (8) TD Garden 18,624 6–2 9 November 3 @ Oklahoma City W 101–94 Kyrie Irving (25) Jaylen Brown (12) Kyrie Irving (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena 18,203 7–2 10 November 5 @ Orlando W 104–88 Jaylen Brown (18) Al Horford (10) Marcus Smart (8) Amway Center 17,731 8–2 11 November 6 @ Atlanta W 110–107 Kyrie Irving (35) Al Horford (10) Al Horford (9) Philips Arena 13,215 9–2 12 November 8 L.A. Lakers W 107–96 Aron Baynes (21) Jaylen Brown (11) Marcus Smart (6) TD Garden 18,624 10-2 13 November 10 Charlotte TD Garden 14 November 12 Toronto TD Garden 15 November 14 @ Brooklyn Barclays Center 16 November 16 Golden State TD Garden 17 November 18 @ Atlanta Philips Arena 18 November 20 @ Dallas American Airlines Center 19 November 22 @ Miami American Airlines Arena 20 November 24 Orlando TD Garden 21 November 25 @ Indiana Bankers Life Fieldhouse 22 November 27 Detroit TD Garden 23 November 30 Philadelphia TD Garden
December : 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 24 December 2 Phoenix TD Garden 25 December 4 Milwaukee TD Garden 26 December 6 Dallas TD Garden 27 December 8 @ San Antonio AT&T Center 28 December 10 @ Detroit Little Caesars Arena 29 December 11 @ Chicago United Center 30 December 13 Denver TD Garden 31 December 15 Utah TD Garden 32 December 16 @ Memphis FedExForum 33 December 18 @ Indiana Bankers Life Fieldhouse 34 December 20 Miami TD Garden 35 December 21 @ New York Madison Square Garden 36 December 23 Chicago TD Garden 37 December 25 Washington TD Garden 38 December 27 @ Charlotte Spectrum Center 39 December 28 Houston TD Garden 40 December 31 Brooklyn TD Garden
January : 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 41 January 3 Cleveland TD Garden 42 January 5 Minnesota TD Garden 43 January 6 @ Brooklyn Barclays Center 44 January 11 @ Philadelphia The O2 Arena 45 January 16 New Orleans TD Garden 46 January 18 Philadelphia TD Garden 47 January 21 Orlando TD Garden 48 January 23 @ L.A. Lakers Staples Center 49 January 24 @ L.A. Clippers Staples Center 50 January 27 @ Golden State Oracle Arena 51 January 29 @ Denver Pepsi Center 52 January 31 New York TD Garden
February : 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 53 February 2 Atlanta TD Garden 54 February 4 Portland TD Garden 55 February 6 @ Toronto Air Canada Centre 56 February 8 @ Washington Capital One Arena 57 February 9 Indiana TD Garden 58 February 11 Cleveland TD Garden 59 February 14 L.A. Clippers TD Garden All-Star Break 60 February 23 @ Detroit Little Caesars Arena 61 February 24 @ New York Madison Square Garden 62 February 26 Memphis TD Garden 63 February 28 Charlotte TD Garden
March : 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 64 March 3 @ Houston Toyota Center 65 March 5 @ Chicago United Center 66 March 8 @ Minnesota Target Center 67 March 11 Indiana TD Garden 68 March 14 Washington TD Garden 69 March 16 @ Orlando Amway Center 70 March 18 @ New Orleans Smoothie King Center 71 March 20 Oklahoma City TD Garden 72 March 23 @ Portland Moda Center 73 March 25 @ Sacramento Golden 1 Center 74 March 26 @ Phoenix Talking Stick Resort Arena 75 March 28 @ Utah Vivint Smart Home Arena 76 March 31 Toronto TD Garden
April : 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 77 April 3 @ Milwaukee Bradley Center 78 April 4 @ Toronto Air Canada Centre 79 April 6 Chicago TD Garden 80 April 8 Atlanta TD Garden 81 April 10 @ Washington Verizon Center 82 April 11 Brooklyn TD Garden
2017–18 season schedule

Transactions

Main article: List of 2017–18 NBA season transactions

Trades

June 19, 2017	To Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (Pick 3) 2018 first round pick (2 through 6 protected from the L.A. Lakers) If pick does not convey in 2018, a first round pick in 2019 (with protections instead)	To Philadelphia 76ers Markelle Fultz (Pick 1)
July 7, 2017	To Boston Celtics Marcus Morris	To Detroit Pistons Avery Bradley 2019 second round pick
August 22, 2017	To Boston Celtics Kyrie Irving	To Cleveland Cavaliers Isaiah Thomas Jae Crowder Ante Žižić 2018 first round pick (from Brooklyn) 2020 second round pick (from Miami)

Free agency

Re-signed

Player	Signed	Former Team

Additions

Player	Signed	Former Team
Gordon Hayward	4-year contract worth $128 million	Utah Jazz
Abdel Nader	4-year contract worth $6 million	Maine Red Claws
Aron Baynes	1-year contract worth $4.3 million	Detroit Pistons
Daniel Theis	2-year contract worth $2.2 million	Brose Bamberg
Guerschon Yabusele	2-year contract worth $4.9 million	Maine Red Claws
Shane Larkin	1-year contract worth $1.5 million	Saski Baskonia

Subtractions

Player	Reason	New Team
Tyler Zeller	Waived	Brooklyn Nets
Kelly Olynyk	4-year contract worth $50 million	Miami Heat
Amir Johnson	1-year contract worth $11 million	Philadelphia 76ers
Jordan Mickey	Waived	Miami Heat
Demetrius Jackson	Waived	Houston Rockets
Jonas Jerebko	2-year contract worth $8.2 million	Utah Jazz

External links

• Official website