The Boston Celtics have passed a historic milestone in NBA history. With their 124-104 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics earned their 40th win of the season. But it is not just any win. Boston became the third team this season to win 40 games before losing 20 times. Throughout NBA history, one of the most effective ways to tell if a team is a championship contender is if they win 40 games before they lose 20. The defending champion Boston Celtics have now stamped themselves as title contenders while they prepare to finish the season strong.
The Boston Celtics and the 40/20 Rule
The 40/20 rule was established by the legendary coach Phil Jackson. It may sound foolish since any team can get hot, but the rule has been wildly efficient. In all 82-game NBA seasons, only three teams have ever won an NBA Championship without passing the 40/20 rule. Those teams were the Rockets in 1995, the Pistons in 2004, and the Heat in 2006. Teams have made the finals without passing the milestone, like the Celtics in 2022 and the Heat in 2023, but it is very rare for those teams to win the championship. Last season, when Boston won the title, they won 40 games before losing 20 and have done so again this season.
The Celtics are the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 40-16 record, but their season has not been as dominant as their record indicates. They were excellent at the start of the season and won eight out of their last nine games. But there was a long stretch throughout December and January when they played .500 basketball. They were beaten soundly by teams like the Lakers and Kings and lost games to teams they shouldn’t, like the Raptors and Magic. It was rough, as they looked like a different team every game.
But the team has seemingly righted the ship. As previously said, the Celtics have won eight of their last nine games. And many of the wins have not been close. Five have been by double digits, including blowout wins over the Knicks and Heat. They’ve also won close games, like a win on the road in Cleveland or a 26-point comeback over the 76ers. Jayson Tatum has played well, and the team looks like they are coming into form in the second half of the season.
Other 40/20 Teams
The Celtics are not the only team to surpass 40 wins before 20 losses this season. The Thunder and the Cavaliers were the first teams to pass the milestone, with the best records in their respective conferences. They are unquestionable championship contenders. The Thunder have an unrelenting defense and are led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. On the other hand, Cleveland has one of the best offenses in the NBA, with a strong, young core and multiple pieces added at the trade deadline. Boston is 2-1 against the Cavaliers this season, but every game has been close. Oklahoma City defeated the Celtics in January.
Other teams are still eligible to hit 40 wins before losing 20 games, but they are cutting it close. These teams are the Nuggets, Knicks, and Grizzlies. All three teams are 37-19, meaning if any of them lose a game before reaching 40 wins, they will not be eligible. But, even with the rule’s history, there is not much difference between being 40-19 or 39-20.
Final Thoughts
The Boston Celtics have seemingly turned things around and won their 40th game before losing 20. They have 26 games left in the regular season and look to make another championship run. If the team can stay healthy and remain focused, another deep playoff run should be in the cards.
