Nikola Vucevic excited at the potential for first deep playoff run with Boston Celtics
BOSTON — Center Nikola Vucevic you’ve gotten achieved lots in his 15-year NBA profession. He’s a former first-round choose, a two-time All-Star, and a revered large man in basketball’s premier league. However, the 35-year-old has by no means had a official shot at the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy — till now.
Vucevic has solely performed in 16 playoff video games in his profession, and he hasn’t made it previous the first spherical since his rookie season in 2012. He solely recorded 3 minutes in that Eastern Conference Semifinals sequence 14 years in the past with the Philadelphia 76ers and so they have been ultimately eradicated in seven video games by Vucevic’s present squad: the Boston Celtics.
Mar 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics middle Nikola Vucevic (4) defends Philadelphia 76ers ahead Trendon Watford (12) throughout the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
In a little bit of irony, Vucevic is now making ready to tackle the Sixers in the first spherical of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Prior to Game 1 on Sunday afternoon, he informed Celtics Wire that he is glad to be taking part in playoff basketball for the first time since 2022.
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“I’m very excited to be back in the playoffs,” he stated in the locker room pregame. “It’s been a couple of years as a player. That’s what you always want to do, get to the playoffs, and then go from there, see how far you can go. But yes, very excited to be here.”
To make issues even higher, the 56-26 Celtics maintain the second seed in the Eastern Conference and have a roster with actual championship aspirations. And though Vucevic has been a part of some strong groups over the course of his lengthy NBA journey, he is by no means been on a squad with a top-5 seed in the playoffs.
So, it is a good change of tempo for the Montenegrin middle, as he can do extra than simply rejoice the proven fact that he made the playoffs. The Celtics aren’t ones to be happy with only a playoff look both, which at all times impressed Vucevic.
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“The team, the results they’ve had speak for themselves,” he stated. “You always knew about Boston being one of the best teams, obviously, the history they have and the culture they created.”
That profitable tradition and a nonstop drive for championships made Vucevic desirous to get to work when he was first traded to the Celtics in February.
“I just looked at it when I got traded here as a great opportunity for me, especially later in my career now to have a chance to play for something really meaningful,” he revealed. “It’s a great opportunity, and it’s the first time I’m really on a team that has a chance to go deep.”
How far the Celtics can go in the playoffs stays to be seen, nevertheless it all begins on Sunday. Vucevic informed Celtics Wire that he hasn’t thought a lot about the proven fact that he is taking part in the franchise that drafted him since his time in Philly was so way back.
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He sounded centered on serving to the Celtics off the bench and doing the whole lot he can to make sure they advance to the second spherical, someplace he hasn’t been in what looks like eternally.
“They play tough, so we have to be at our best,” Vucevic described of the Sixers. “So hopefully we make the best out of (the series), but it starts today. We take it one game at a time.”
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This article initially appeared on Celtics Wire: Nikola Vucevic is excited for first real shot at championship contention with Celtics
