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The Celtics secured a dominant 120-89 victory over the Magic, eliminating them from the playoffs. Despite trailing by 2 points at halftime, Boston turned the game on its head in the second half, building a 25-point lead with just 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The defending champions made it look easy, advancing to the next round with a 4-1 series win. With 3:49 remaining in the game, the Celtics reached 110 points—a stark contrast to their first-half performance, where they managed only 47. The third quarter saw Boston explode for 36 points while limiting Orlando to just 13, effectively sealing the game.
In the first half, the Celtics struggled. Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford continued to underperform, and both faced foul trouble. The team relied heavily on Jayson Tatum, who contributed 20 of Boston's 27 first-half points. It was as if Tatum was carrying the entire team, similar to a soccer player contributing to 4 out of 5 goals scored.
Tatum finished with 10 points and 5 assists in the first half, tying his career-high for assists in a single quarter. Despite Boston's offensive issues, Orlando played a solid game, particularly in the first half. For a long time, it seemed like the Magic might pull off an upset. Orlando’s defense was suffocating, limiting the Celtics’ shooting to a dismal 0-for-6 from three-point range in the first half. Just two years ago, the Celtics relied heavily on their three-point shooting, accounting for 70% of their total points. Had they failed to score from deep in the first half, this game could have been over, yet they only trailed by 2 points.
Coming out of halftime, the Celtics unleashed a 36-13 run, quickly taking control of the game. The Magic, unable to adjust, found themselves outclassed. One of the major turning points was the foul trouble plaguing Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, who picked up his fourth foul early in the second half but was forced to continue playing.
While some fans might point to foul calls and speculate about refereeing, the Celtics were not immune to foul trouble themselves. In fact, they finished with 20 fouls compared to Orlando’s 18. But Boston’s veteran savvy showed, as they made the most of their deep bench. With Al Horford struggling and Porzingis out of the game due to foul issues, the Celtics leaned on their bench to step up. Luke Kornet, in particular, played a pivotal role, stepping in for Porzingis to contribute 9 points and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Boston’s success in this series wasn’t about individual performances or flashy plays but rather the team’s ability to adapt. Even when key players like Tatum were sidelined, other members of the squad—such as Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser—stepped up to fill the void. The Celtics’ versatility was on full display as they employed a variety of strategies, including a double-big lineup featuring Kornet and Al Horford to challenge Orlando’s defense.
Despite being outshot in some areas—such as shooting 0-for-3 from beyond the arc in the first half, trailing the Magic by 6 boards, and committing more turnovers—the Celtics still managed to build a lead as large as 34 points. They capitalized on just 9 turnovers to score 20 points in transition, making the most of every mistake by the Magic. Despite only grabbing 2 offensive rebounds, Boston was able to score 48 points in the paint, outscoring Orlando by 12.
While the Magic relied on athleticism and raw talent to compete, the Celtics executed with precision. Orlando’s star players, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, gave it their all, but their aggressive play led to foul trouble that derailed their efforts. These two were reminiscent of Boston’s own young stars, Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who in the past had faced similar struggles in clutch moments but have since evolved into champions.
Tatum, though dealing with an injury, quietly posted 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists in the win. His understated performance reminded fans of his rise over the years. While players like Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo often dominate discussions during the playoffs, Tatum’s postseason averages of 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists go under the radar, even though he’s a top-five MVP contender. Since 2025, Tatum has led the league in total points, three-pointers made, and victories.
At just 27, Tatum has already established himself as one of the best postseason performers of his generation, though he doesn’t seek the spotlight. Even after the Celtics secured the win and advanced, Tatum and his teammates showed little emotion. They know their journey is far from over. Tatum’s focus is unshaken—his eyes are set on the ultimate prize, and nothing less will satisfy him.
This intensity and determination echo the words of his idol: \"The work is not done.\"
