So, what happens now for Boston? Every team that doesn't reach the NBA Cup knockout rounds gets two games added to its regular-season schedule -- one home and one away. Here are those two games for the Celtics (both of which will air on NBC Sports Boston):

Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta are all 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Group C standings. Cleveland is 1-1 and Washington is 0-3. The Bulls will be the Group C champion if they beat the Celtics and the Hawks beat the Cavaliers. Chicago owns the tiebreaker over Atlanta based on its head-to-head victory.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket abasing Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, right, during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez) AP