Following the Celtics' first-round exit to the Brooklyn Nets in five games from the previous season, Danny Ainge retired from his role as General Manager, and Brad Stevens was promoted to be the next President of Basketball Operations.
Jayson Tatum was selected to the All-NBA First Team and was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP, while Marcus Smart was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Robert Williams III joined him on the NBA All-Defensive Team.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics swept the Brooklyn Nets in four games, which was their third series sweep in four seasons.
The Celtics then advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth time in six years to face the top-seeded Miami Heat.
The Celtics faced the Golden State Warriors in a rematch of the 1964 Finals in an attempt to win their 18th championship and first since 2008, but lost in six games despite taking a 2–1 lead.