We simmed the 2023-24 Boston Celtics season in NBA 2K24 — here’s what happened

With the yearly NBA 2K game finally here, what is 2K24’s prediction for the Boston Celtics 2023-24 season?

I did a simulation of the upcoming campaign to find out.

How good do the Boston Celtics look in NBA 2K24?

The iconic basketball video game is here, and with the release comes the opportunity for Boston Celtics fans to live out their dream of leading the boys in green to win their 18th championship. Usually, a couple of trades will be made before the season even begins – it is a video game of course – but this year, not many changes will be needed when you look at the ratings the players have been given. I won’t be making any trades or adjustments going into this simulation.

First, let’s take a look at how 2k rated the boys from Beantown.

https://twitter.com/BryBleedsGreen/status/1700169275061715061

2023-24 Boston Celtics regular season

The Celtics put on a stellar regular season performance, finishing the year with a highly respectable 59-23 record – joint first with the 76ers. This saw Phillidelphia clinching the 1st seed as we ended the year as the 2nd seed going into the playoffs.

No Regular season MVP for Jayson Tatum, but his performances were enough to see him clinch a spot in the All-NBA Second Team.

Tatum wasn’t the only one who excelled during the regular season with Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and more putting on great performances game in and game out. Let’s take a look at how everyone performed.

https://twitter.com/BryBleedsGreen/status/1700170271812997507

Playoffs

Round 1 – Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The first round of the Playoffs saw the Celtics face their toughest series as they came up against a formidable Cleveland Cavaliers side. A shaky start was on the cards as Cleveland took a 3-0 lead, putting the pressure on the Celtics early on. Only 4 teams have brought a 3-0 series to Game 7 and, in this simulation, the total became 5 as the Celtics fought hard to tie the series. With the Miami Heat already securing their place in the second round, it was Boston’s turn to clinch their place. In the process of securing their spot in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, the Celtics became the first team in history to come back from a 3-0 deficit. Was a redemption series against Miami on the cards?

Round 2 – Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat

This one had drama written all over it due to the growing rivalry between these two sides, made more intense from the outcome of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, but would that motivate and fuel the Celtics, or hinder their abilities? On this occasion, it turned out the be the former. Boston didn’t let Miami get 3 games over them during this simulation, in fact, they didn’t let them win a single game as the boys in green swept Miami 4-0 to secure their place in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Eastern Conference Finals – Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks

Tragedy and heartbreak struck the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 as Trae Young picked up a knee injury after only 20 minutes, resulting in him missing the rest of the series. It was time for Boston to capitalize and secure a place in the NBA finals. The Celtics got slightly complacent though as the Hawks would manage to win Game 3, bringing the series to 2-1 in Boston’s favour. However, that would be the only victory for Atlanta as a gentleman sweep was on the cards, paired with a place in the finals for the Celtics as the series ended 4-1.

Although Tatum didn’t get the regular season MVP, he did manage to pick up the Eastern Conference MVP.

https://twitter.com/BryBleedsGreen/status/1700170621001302306

But who won the Western Conference MVP? And who would the Celtics be facing in the finals?

None other than LeBron James and the LA Lakers. A match-up both sets of fans are more than familiar with, but how would this series play out?

NBA Finals

First, let’s take a look at the match-up.

https://twitter.com/BryBleedsGreen/status/1700171194194948471

For the second time in 3 years, Boston has made it to the NBA Finals, and this time they come up against an old foe in the form of the LA Lakers. This was the 13th time that these two juggernauts have locked horns on the biggest stage in basketball and with both having 17 championships, this final was more than just a rivalry personified, it was a chance for bragging rights of being the most successful organization in NBA history. Let’s see how it played out:

Game 1 saw Tatum and LeBron prove why they are the star men of their respective organizations with stellar performances from both sides. Tatum put up an impressive stat line of 32 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. And from LA, LeBron managed an equally impressive 36 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and three steals. However, Boston would come out on top in Game 1, applying the pressure the the Lakers in the process.

The pressure was applied early in this series and that ended up being a huge factor in Game 2 as Tatum scored a whopping 43 points, leaving James and company trailing by 18 points when the final buzzer sounded. 2-0 Celtics with momentum on their side going into Game 3.

Game 3 saw the points being more evenly distributed from both sides but the pressure was showing in LA as they trailed the game from the 2nd minute of quarter No. 2. The game slipped out of the Lakers grasp and their title hopes were doing the same. 3-0 Celtics and although LeBron has managed a 3-1 comeback in the past, this deficit may be too big of a mountain to climb for the aging star.

Game 4. Win or go home for LA. A hungry Boston wasted no time in this one, championship No. 18 was in reach and they showed their determination early on, a determination that would show no quit as the game went on. The game ended 113-108 to the Celtics and banner number 18 would be hung from the rafters of – the virtual – TD Gardens.

The sting for Tatum due to missing out on the regular season MVP was surely dampened with a Finals MVP and championship number 18 for his organization.

Here’s a better look at how the playoffs went:

The best outcome for the boys from the Boston Celtics.

Getting 59 regular season wins, Conference Final Champions, Conference Finals MVP, NBA Champions, and Finals MVP is an unbelievable outcome from Boston in this 2k simulation. If they can manage to achieve equal success when the real season starts, the party in Boston will go on all offseason. 2K predicts banner No. 18, and so do I.