In the latest twist of fate for the Boston Celtics, their road to the NBA Finals appears to be getting smoother as opposing stars continue to be plagued by unfortunate injuries. While the Celtics cannot be blamed for these incidents, it seems that something about facing them has led to rival players experiencing setbacks that could have a significant impact on the outcome of the playoffs.

During Thursday's Game 2 blowout against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana's All-NBA guard, had to leave the court due to a hamstring strain. This injury is a recurrence of a similar one he suffered in January, which sidelined him for multiple weeks and affected his performance for the remainder of the season.

With Haliburton out of the lineup, the Pacers' chances of upsetting the Celtics were already slim, and now they seem even more remote. It has become a recurring pattern for the Celtics, who have had their fair share of heartbreaking losses in their history of five conference finals in seven years.

The Celtics' success this season can be attributed, in part, to their relatively healthy roster. Unlike many teams dealing with injuries and fatigue, the Celtics have been fortunate to have the majority of their players in good condition. The only exception is their oft-injured big man, Kristaps Porzingis, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury but can afford to take his time to recover.

Critics may argue that the Celtics have had an easier path to the NBA Finals, mainly because they have faced teams that may not have posed much of a challenge. However, it is essential to note that the Denver Nuggets won last year's championship by defeating play-in teams, including the Miami Heat in the finals. Similarly, the Celtics have been playing exceptionally well, consistently winning games by double-digit margins, regardless of their opponents not being at their best.

In contrast, teams like the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who the Celtics may potentially face in the Finals, have had a more challenging journey. Both teams have been pushed to their limits, enduring hard-fought series against tough opponents. Questions arise regarding the toll this taxing playoff schedule may take on these teams, particularly considering the lingering injuries of Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards.

As the Celtics continue their march towards Banner 18, it remains to be seen if their seemingly effortless journey will be put to the test. While there are doubts that they have yet to reach their peak performance, their dominant performances thus far have silenced critics. The basketball gods, it seems, may have some favorable surprises in store for the Celtics as they aim to secure their coronation this season.