As the Atlanta Hawks pulled away after halftime Thursday night, a palpable sense of relief spread through TD Garden. The unwatchable playoff nightmare for the beloved home team was coming to a close.

“This team gave it…” started Boston Celtics fan Trisha McDunan, before hesitating and continuing “this team gave it—not good try, but a try. But I hope it wasn’t their best try because, that was pretty rough.”

 

The @ATLHawks right now on Celtics shots… pic.twitter.com/xOSd0qFj4b

— Warren Shaw (@ShawSportsNBA) April 29, 2016

 

The Celtics exceeded expectations to make it six games into the NBA post season under coach Brad Stevens. After losing star point guard Avery Bradley and big man Kelly Olynyk to injuries, Stevens lead a what some NBA analysts have called “a pretty lousy, nigh unwatchable squad” two insufferable games longer than was absolutely necessary into the playoffs.

“I gave it my all,” said Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas. “But I sure as shit wouldn’t want to watch that. And what was the point anyway? Whoever we play in the next round is going to fucking wax us. Would that have been Cleveland? Christ.”