The Celtics clinched the No.

The Boston Celtics locked up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and their fifth consecutive Atlantic Division title with a win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

The game carried extra weight beyond the standings. Jayson Tatum made his return to MSG for the first time since rupturing his Achilles tendon there last May — an injury that cut short Boston's title defense and cast doubt over Tatum's future. His return was a statement: he's back, and so are the Celtics.

Boston got it done without Jaylen Brown, who sat with left Achilles tendinitis, and with Derrick White and Neemias Queta both listed as questionable. The Knicks, who own the tiebreaker against Boston, would have needed the Celtics to lose out and win their remaining games to steal the division crown. That door is now shut. Boston has home court through at least the second round.