The 2018-19 NBA season for the Boston Celtics was a rollercoaster of expectations and results. Coming off a promising 2017-18 season, the Celtics were anticipated to be strong contenders in the Eastern Conference, especially with the return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward from injuries. The team finished the regular season with a 49-33 record, securing the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Despite the high expectations, the regular season was marred by inconsistency and chemistry issues. The Celtics struggled to find cohesion, as the integration of Irving and Hayward into a lineup that had thrived without them the previous year proved challenging. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who had breakout performances in the prior season’s playoffs, faced difficulties in adjusting to their new roles.
In the playoffs, the Celtics showcased their potential by sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the first round. However, their championship aspirations were halted in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Milwaukee Bucks, who defeated them 4-1. The series highlighted the Celtics’ ongoing struggles with team dynamics and consistency.
The season concluded with questions surrounding the future of key players, including Kyrie Irving, who eventually left the team in free agency. The 2018-19 Celtics season is often viewed as a case of unfulfilled potential, prompting significant roster changes and a reevaluation of the team’s direction moving forward.
- Regular Season Record: 49-33
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 4-0, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1-4
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 2018-19 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kyrie Irving | 67 | 23.8 | 5.0 | 6.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 40.1 | 9 | 21.3 | 4.3 | 7.0 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 31.0 |
| R.J. Hunter | 1 | 17.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jayson Tatum | 79 | 15.7 | 6.0 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 37.3 | 9 | 15.2 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 32.3 |
| Marcus Morris | 75 | 13.9 | 6.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 37.5 | 9 | 13.7 | 8.1 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 45.0 |
| Al Horford | 68 | 13.6 | 6.7 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 36.0 | 9 | 13.9 | 9.0 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 40.9 |
| Jaylen Brown | 74 | 13.0 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 34.4 | 9 | 13.9 | 5.8 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 35.0 |
| Gordon Hayward | 72 | 11.5 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 33.3 | 9 | 9.6 | 4.0 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 37.5 |
| Terry Rozier | 79 | 9.0 | 3.9 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 35.3 | 9 | 6.4 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 23.5 |
| Marcus Smart | 80 | 8.9 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 36.4 | 2 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 9.1 |
| Daniel Theis | 66 | 5.7 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 38.8 | 7 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Aron Baynes | 51 | 5.6 | 4.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 34.4 | 9 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 33.3 |
| Brad Wanamaker | 36 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 41.0 | 4 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Semi Ojeleye | 56 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 31.5 | 6 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 60.0 |
| PJ Dozier | 6 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Greg Monroe | 2 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Robert Williams | 32 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Guerschon Yabusele | 41 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 32.1 | 4 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Boston Celtics in the 2019 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Indiana Pacers
In the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics delivered a commanding performance by sweeping the Indiana Pacers in a 4-0 series win. Led by Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, the Celtics showcased their depth and defensive prowess, effectively neutralizing the Pacers' offense. This dominant display set a promising tone for their postseason ambitions.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2019 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 84-74 | |
| Apr 17, 2019 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 99-91 | |
| Apr 19, 2019 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 104-96 | |
| Apr 21, 2019 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 110-106 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Milwaukee Bucks
In the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they struggled to contain MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his team's relentless offense. After securing a win in Game 1, the Celtics lost four consecutive games, ultimately falling 4-1 in the series. The defeat highlighted the Celtics' inconsistency and inability to match Milwaukee's intensity and depth.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2019 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 112-90 | |
| Apr 30, 2019 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 123-102 | |
| May 03, 2019 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 123-116 | |
| May 06, 2019 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 113-101 | |
| May 08, 2019 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 116-91 |
Boston Celtics 2018-19 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2018-19 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2018 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 105-87 | |
| Oct 19, 2018 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 113-101 | |
| Oct 20, 2018 | @ New York Knicks | W 103-101 | |
| Oct 22, 2018 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 93-90 | |
| Oct 25, 2018 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 101-95 | |
| Oct 27, 2018 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 109-89 | |
| Oct 30, 2018 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 108-105 | |
| Nov 01, 2018 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 117-113 | |
| Nov 03, 2018 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 102-101 | |
| Nov 05, 2018 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 115-107 | |
| Nov 08, 2018 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 116-109 | |
| Nov 09, 2018 | @ Utah Jazz | L 123-115 | |
| Nov 11, 2018 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 100-94 | |
| Nov 14, 2018 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 111-82 | |
| Nov 16, 2018 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 123-116 | |
| Nov 17, 2018 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 98-86 | |
| Nov 19, 2018 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 117-112 | |
| Nov 21, 2018 | vs. New York Knicks | L 117-109 | |
| Nov 23, 2018 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 114-96 | |
| Nov 24, 2018 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 113-104 | |
| Nov 26, 2018 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | W 124-107 | |
| Nov 30, 2018 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 128-95 | |
| Dec 01, 2018 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 118-109 | |
| Dec 06, 2018 | vs. New York Knicks | W 128-100 | |
| Dec 08, 2018 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 133-77 | |
| Dec 10, 2018 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | W 113-100 | |
| Dec 12, 2018 | @ Washington Wizards | W 130-125 | |
| Dec 14, 2018 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 129-108 | |
| Dec 15, 2018 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 113-104 | |
| Dec 19, 2018 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 111-103 | |
| Dec 21, 2018 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 120-107 | |
| Dec 23, 2018 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 119-103 | |
| Dec 25, 2018 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 121-114 | |
| Dec 27, 2018 | @ Houston Rockets | L 127-113 | |
| Dec 29, 2018 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 112-103 | |
| Dec 31, 2018 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 120-111 | |
| Jan 02, 2019 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 115-102 | |
| Jan 04, 2019 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 114-93 | |
| Jan 07, 2019 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 116-95 | |
| Jan 09, 2019 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 135-108 | |
| Jan 10, 2019 | @ Miami Heat | L 115-99 | |
| Jan 12, 2019 | @ Orlando Magic | L 105-103 | |
| Jan 14, 2019 | @ Brooklyn Nets | L 109-102 | |
| Jan 16, 2019 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 117-108 | |
| Jan 18, 2019 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 122-116 | |
| Jan 19, 2019 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 113-105 | |
| Jan 21, 2019 | vs. Miami Heat | W 107-99 | |
| Jan 23, 2019 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 123-103 | |
| Jan 26, 2019 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 115-111 | |
| Jan 28, 2019 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 112-104 | |
| Jan 30, 2019 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 126-94 | |
| Feb 01, 2019 | @ New York Knicks | W 113-99 | |
| Feb 03, 2019 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 134-129 | |
| Feb 05, 2019 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 103-96 | |
| Feb 07, 2019 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 129-128 | |
| Feb 09, 2019 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 123-112 | |
| Feb 12, 2019 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 112-109 | |
| Feb 13, 2019 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 118-110 | |
| Feb 21, 2019 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 98-97 | |
| Feb 23, 2019 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 126-116 | |
| Feb 26, 2019 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 118-95 | |
| Feb 27, 2019 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 97-92 | |
| Mar 01, 2019 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 107-96 | |
| Mar 03, 2019 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 115-104 | |
| Mar 05, 2019 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 128-95 | |
| Mar 06, 2019 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 111-109 | |
| Mar 09, 2019 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 120-107 | |
| Mar 11, 2019 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 140-115 | |
| Mar 14, 2019 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 126-120 | |
| Mar 16, 2019 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 129-120 | |
| Mar 18, 2019 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 114-105 | |
| Mar 20, 2019 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 118-115 | |
| Mar 23, 2019 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 124-117 | |
| Mar 24, 2019 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 115-96 | |
| Mar 26, 2019 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 116-106 | |
| Mar 29, 2019 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 114-112 | |
| Mar 30, 2019 | @ Brooklyn Nets | L 110-96 | |
| Apr 01, 2019 | vs. Miami Heat | W 110-105 | |
| Apr 03, 2019 | @ Miami Heat | W 112-102 | |
| Apr 05, 2019 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 117-97 | |
| Apr 07, 2019 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 116-108 | |
| Apr 09, 2019 | @ Washington Wizards | W 116-110 |