The Boston Celtics will face a much tougher opponent in the second round. After sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs, they will now have to go up against the league-best Milwaukee Bucks.

However, for Celtics forward Al Horford, the team is ready to go up against the Bucks. In an interview with Boston Sports Journal's Brian Robb, he said that the Beantwon team is now a different team compared to who and what they were in the regular season.

“It’s a big difference from where we were in September to now. There’s just clear understanding from each individual, what to expect, what we need to do, how we need to play,” Horford said.

The Celtics struggled for the majority of the regular season. With a lot of talented players, they didn't seem to know how to adjust with one another. There were times when they went toe-to-toe with the league's top contenders, and there were stretches when they can't even beat non-playoff teams.

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) celebrates after winning the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
Boston Celtics’ perfect outcome for No. 28 pick in 2025 NBA DraftRohan Brahmbhatt ·
image thumbnail
Celtics rumors: Boston’s trade outlook gets ‘positive’ twistErik Slater ·
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots a free throw in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.
What Jaylen Brown’s surgery means for Celtics’ 2025-26 seasonDaniel Donabedian ·
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with guard Jaylen Brown (7) and guard Derrick White (9) from the sideline as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden.
NBA rumors: Celtics ‘100%’ getting ‘big trade offers’ for Jaylen Brown, Derrick WhiteJulian Ojeda ·
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) in the second half at Frost Bank Center.
Celtics star Jaylen Brown’s knee surgery comes with silver liningQuinn Allen ·
Boston Celtics players Paul Pierce (34) , Rajon Rondo (9) , Kevin Garnett (5) and Ray Allen (20) await the start of overtime against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.
Ray Allen recalls Kevin Garnett Celtics confrontationRandall Barnes ·

There were a lot of questions surrounding the team when they clinched a playoff spot. Some even predicted that they will lose in the first round. Nonetheless, the Celtics quickly erased those doubts by making quick work of the Pacers.

They shared the ball better and their defense has vastly improved. They also made crucial plays when the games mattered most. The Celtics are seemingly peaking at the right time, but their character and resilience as a team will be tested against the Bucks.

Boston plays Milwaukee in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday.