Celtics Cruise Past Magic in Playoff Showdown as Jaylen Brown Shines Amid Tatum Absence
Celtics Command Playoff Series with Depth and Firepower
The Celtics couldn’t have scripted a better playoff start. With Jayson Tatum sporting street clothes and nursing a wrist injury, most people might expect Boston to look lost on offense. Instead, Jaylen Brown lit up the parquet with 36 points and 10 boards, making sure the points kept coming even without their main superstar. Brown didn’t just fill in—he led like a first option, proving Boston’s offense isn’t a one-man show.
Boston ended up taking a 2-0 lead over the Orlando Magic in their first-round playoff clash, and they did it sticking to what’s worked all year: launching threes in bunches. Averaging a wild 48.2 attempts from deep during the regular season, the Celtics’ confidence behind the arc hasn’t wavered. Even with Tatum sidelined, supporting stars like Derrick White and Al Horford chipped in, spacing the floor and capitalizing on open looks. It’s hard for defenders to clamp down when almost everyone’s a shooting threat.
Of course, it’s not just about offense. The Celtics’ ability to keep winning through missing pieces—remember, Kristaps Porzingis sat out 40 games, Jrue Holiday missed 20—shows a roster packed with flexibility and poise. No need to worry about one missing star when most of your lineup can step in and contribute on both ends.
Magic’s Struggles Exposed Despite Late Boost
The Magic entered the playoffs riding a late-season high, stringing together a 9-3 run when it mattered. Key contributors like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner had finally shaken off nagging injuries. Yet, the playoffs quickly reminded them that regular-season momentum has its limits, especially against battle-tested opposition like Boston.
Shooting has been Orlando’s kryptonite. They rank dead last in three-point accuracy among playoff teams, stuck at a rough 31.8%. Opposing defenses don’t need to respect many of their shooters, so the Celtics can clog the paint and dare Magic wings to take shots they’ve consistently bricked. No wonder the Magic have crashed below 100 points in several recent outings. In the modern NBA, it’s nearly impossible to keep up when you’re not stretching the floor.
Defensively, the Magic can hang for stretches—after all, their regular-season athleticism and size gave opponents trouble. But when lapses happen and opponent runs start, Orlando lacks the firepower to reply in kind. The Celtics’ deep bench and their hot three-point shooting mean leads balloon fast if the Magic aren’t locked in on every possession.
Looking ahead, Orlando faces a steep hill. If Boston stays cautious with Tatum and keeps him out another game or two, Orlando must pounce. But unless the Magic find answers—knocking down open threes, cutting down turnovers, and tightening up rotations—the gap only grows. Right now, Boston’s mix of playoff readiness and offensive depth is just proving too much for Orlando’s young core.