BOSTON -- In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, the Boston Celtics triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets with a resounding score of 130-94 on Friday night. This victory marks the Celtics' 60th win of the season, a significant achievement that underscores their dominance in the NBA. With this win, Boston has reached the 60-win milestone for the 15th time in franchise history, becoming the first team to do so in consecutive seasons since the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 campaigns.

Historically, achieving 60 wins in a season has often signaled a strong postseason performance. Indeed, seven of the Celtics' previous 14 seasons with 60 or more wins culminated in an NBA championship, adding an extra layer of excitement and expectation for the upcoming playoffs.

Star forward Jayson Tatum, who contributed significantly to the game with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, reflected on the season, stating, "Another incredible season. You know, 60-plus-win team. Obviously, the goal is to compete for championships, but I think enjoying the process along the way and cherishing those small wins, per se, and acknowledging that we had another incredible regular season, you know, something to be proud of, for sure. But now, just kind of shifting gears and getting our minds and our bodies ready for what's to come."

Adding to the Celtics' strong performance, Payton Pritchard led the scoring with an impressive 22 points, while Sam Hauser added 20 points to the scoreboard. Notably, Derrick White also made a vital contribution with 19 points, and veteran player Al Horford registered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. These contributions from both starters and bench players illustrate the depth of talent the Celtics possess.

Despite the lopsided score, coach Joe Mazzulla made the strategic decision to rest his starters during the final quarter, allowing the team to conserve energy as they prepare for the playoffs. One notable absence in the lineup was Jaylen Brown, who continued to sit out due to a sore right knee that has affected his play for the past month. As a result, Brown has been rendered ineligible for postseason awards due to not meeting the league's threshold for games played.

For the Hornets, Seth Curry led the team with 17 points and made headlines by hitting his 82nd three-pointer of the season, which places him in contention for the NBA's shooting percentage lead. With an impressive shooting percentage of 45.6% from beyond the arc, Curry's performance has been a bright spot in what has been a challenging season for Charlotte.

As the game progressed, the Celtics showcased their remarkable shooting ability, particularly from three-point range. Earlier this month, Boston set a league record for the most three-pointers made in a season, and they continued to display this talent by hitting seven three-pointers in the third quarter alone. This offensive surge allowed them to extend their one-point halftime lead to a commanding 91-75 as they entered the fourth quarter.

This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it followed a disappointing 20-point loss to the Orlando Magic earlier in the week, where the Celtics rested their top six players. The Celtics and Hornets are set to face each other again on Sunday in what will be the regular-season finale for both teams, adding another layer of anticipation for fans.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.