Boston enters the playoffs without Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving but is confident it can contend.

Coach Brad Stevens keeps his starters on the bench for the fourth quarter and Atlanta comes back for a 112-106 victory.

With Kyrie Irving done for the season, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum need to perform.

Boston remains competitive, but injuries have led to thinking about the playoffs rather than getting the top seed.

The team said Irving is expected to make a full recovery in four to five months.

Toronto moves closer to clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference by beating Boston.

The short-handed Celtics get 24 points from Jayson Tatum, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee pull out a 106-102 win.

The Celtics are depleted by injuries and Terry Rozier has added a spark while filling in for Kyrie Irving.