New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, left, defends Boston Celtics guard Jayson Tatum during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics heard loud and clear what everyone what was saying about them before this season.

They heard all the predictions about how they would take a step back from the NBA’s top tier with Jayson Tatum rehabbing from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in the playoffs last May.

They heard the narrative that this would be a throwaway year, likely ending with Boston in the draft lottery, after an offseason shakeup that included the departures of key 2024 championship contributors Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.

So, when the Celtics last month notched their 50th win for the fifth consecutive season, All-Star Jaylen Brown didn’t hold back in ripping that narrative into confetti.

“50 wins in a gap year,” Brown posted on X, along with a shamrock emoji.

Enough said as Boston will now prepare for Philaddelphia when the playoffs begin on Sunday for them.

Now, as the Celtics prepare for their fourth straight playoff appearance under coach Joe Mazzulla as the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed, they are whole again following Tatum’s return last month. And the rest of the NBA is acknowledging what the Celtics have believed for some time: The sky remains the limit for this team.

Though Brown, who seized the leadership reins during an MVP-caliber season, acknowledged that he was surprised “a little” at least about just how well the cards have fallen for this group.

“Obviously, my mentality was come in and compete. But the way the group merged together as quickly as it did — it didn’t take us long. I thought it would take us a littler longer,” Brown said. “We were trending upward post-All-Star break. But we kind of figured it out maybe the first 10 or 15 games. We started clicking and gelling. That just doesn’t happen.”

With Tatum sidelined the first 65 games, Brown flourished as the No. 1 option and leader, taking his game to new levels on both the offensive and defensive ends. He post career-high averages in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1).

He also got lots of support.

Derrick White struggled offensively at times but remained a stalwart on defense, leading all NBA guards in contested shots (550) while ranking second among guards in blocks per game (1.3).

Payton Pritchard adjusted his game, first as a starter and then by returning to the bench role that earned him Sixth Man of the Year honors last season. Sam Hauser remained a reliable threat from the 3-point line, and Neemias Queta grew his game in leaps in his first year as a starter.

There were some questions about how Tatum’s return on March 6 would affect the flow of a group that had learned to adjust and thrive without the sixth-time All-Star.

Instead, Tatum has reacclimated himself in short order, averaging 21.8 points, 10 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 16 games.

“Quite honestly I think it’s impressive that he’s gotten back to the level that he’s at as fast as he’s done it, while also keeping the main thing the main thing, which is remaining healthy and giving us the best chance to win every night,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a credit to him.”

One of the final hurdles to Tatum feeling “back” came on April 9, when the Celtics visited the New York Knicks in his first game at Madison Square Garden since suffering his injury. He said the past month has strengthened a love for basketball he feared during rehab he might lose.

“You go through ups and downs mentally when you go through an injury, especially the one that I had,” Tatum said. “Moments of doubt or things like that. But there’s definitely a sense of gratitude.”

76ers advance

PHILADELPHIA — Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points, V.J. Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers weathered the absence of Joel Embiid to beat the Orlando Magic 109-97 on Wednesday night and secure the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Sixers moved on to a first-round series that begins Sunday at Boston.

Desmond Bane and the Magic aren’t done yet. They will host Charlotte on Friday night, with the winner earning the No. 8 seed in the East and a first-round matchup with Detroit.

Embiid had an emergency appendectomy last week in Houston. While the 76ers haven’t given a timetable for his return, the two-time scoring champion returned to the team on Wednesday, surprising teammates in the locker room.