In 2018, the Boston Celtics battled through seven games against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing the series 4-3.
This team was led by then second-year player Jaylen Brown, rookie Jayson Tatum, and Terry Rozier who was in his third season at the time with Boston. Al Horford played an important role for this team, as well.
Brown averaged 19.7 points per game to lead the Celtics, Tatum average 17.9 points, Rozier and Horford both averaged 13.6 points per game.
In a recent interview, Brown reflected on that series, as the Celtics were only one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals. He said the series loss “still stings” from four-years ago.
The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, rookie Tatum threw down a massive one-handed dunk over LeBron James, bringing the entire TD Garden crowd to their feet.
Boston only has three players currently still on the team that played for them in 2018: Brown, Tatum, Horford. In fact, then head coach Brad Stevens isn’t on the sidelines anymore either, as he’s now the president of basketball operations.
Brown is averaging 22.8 points (team-high), 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and one steal per game in the 2024 playoffs.
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