After coming within a single game of reaching the NBA Finals last season, expectations for the Boston Celtics were sky-high during the preseason.

And yet despite having a healthy Kyrie Irving playing at an elite level and Gordon Hayward returning to the lineup, the Celtics have struggled to establish themselves among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference.

Boston wrapped up their season last night by defeating the Washington Wizards, finishing the year with a 49-33 record and securing the fourth seed in the East.

But they have also been subject to a number of internal dramas. From numerous comments made by Irving to a host of injuries, head coach Brad Stevens has had to use multiple lineups to try to get the most out of his young squad.

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The Celtics went 12-12 after the All-Star break, but general manager Danny Ainge remains extremely confident in his team.

Ainge made an appearance on a local radio station on Wednesday to give some health updates and provide listeners with some perspective:

“I’ve seen a lot of progress in our team,” Ainge said. “Kyrie (Irving’s) had a terrific year. One of his best statistical years of his career. We see the progress in Gordon (Hayward) and Al Horford this second half of this season. We see Jaylen Brown coming along. Jayson Tatum has started to get back after a little bit of March funk. He’s been playing better lately. I’m very encouraged by where we are.”

The Celtics will have home court advantage as they take on the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.