On Sunday, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis were a combined 15/44 from the field (34%) and 1/12 from 3 (8%).
The Boston Celtics still won Game 1 by 17 points.
Key Takeaways
While only one game has been played in this series, it’s clear the Magic are not close to the level of the Boston Celtics.
For one, we saw a couple of anomalies in their shooting. Paolo Banchero — not arguing he’s a bad player — went 4/7 from downtown on Sunday. That’s 57%, a staggering amount higher than his season average of 32%. Franz Wagner also had a decent game, piling up 23 points, three rebounds, five assists, and three stocks.
Are those two very good players? Yes. Should the fact that their elite performances barely impacted the game as a whole be worrisome? Absolutely.
As for the other Celtics, they showed up ready to work in Game 1. Derrick White added 30 points, and Payton Pritchard managed to score 19. If both of those players continue their hot start, the Celtics might once again dominate their way into the NBA Finals.
Derrick White vs ORL:
30 PTS
2 BLK
10-18 FG
7-12 3PCeltics are 3-0 when White has 30+ in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/YLQuROyvEj
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 20, 2025
Brief Scuffle
With the game already in hand, Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope‘s decision to commit a hard foul was, well, baffling. There’s truly no reason to put a player in danger while they’re in the air.
As Tatum went down, Horford got into it with multiple Magic players, including Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony.
Here’s a better look:
Wendell Carter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope charge at an airborne Jayson Tatum causing him to go down with a wrist injury, the play is upgraded to a Flagrant 1 to KCP upon review.
With many, many replays.
The full incident – no cuts. pic.twitter.com/RrzxjsMaWm— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 20, 2025
Caldwell-Pope was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul.
When asked about the situation, Joe Mazzulla didn’t seem too worried. As a matter of fact, neither did Jrue Holiday or Jayson Tatum.
“I just landed on it hard,” said Tatum after the game. “It was throbbing.”
Jayson Tatum on his wrist injury and how the brief throbbing pain went away: pic.twitter.com/y9tofl3YAI
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) April 20, 2025
“I mean [it’s] playoff basketball,” added Holiday. “…7 seed that’s gonna come out and fight and be physical, just a hard foul.”
Jrue Holiday to @RealBobManning on Orlando's hard foul on Jayson Tatum
"I mean playoff basketball, 7 seed that's gonna come out and fight and be physical, just a hard foul."
Said Tatum seemed good postgame#Celtics #NBA pic.twitter.com/DCu78mMbbL
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) April 20, 2025
The Celtics’ injury report will give us a clearer indication, but it looks like Tatum will be just fine.
Jaylen Brown’s Leadership
Jaylen Brown is the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics.
While the ESPN broadcast can catch some flak for its audio issues — yes, I’m talking about their silencing of playoff crowds — their ‘Mic’d Up’ segment certainly gives the casual fan a good outlook on player interactions.
With the Magic cutting a 12-point lead to just one late in the first half, Jaylen Brown felt the need to motivate the team.
Vocal leadership by Jaylen Brown. He knows what it takes pic.twitter.com/wvnEjfbMcl
— NikNBA☘️ (@__Kingnik) April 20, 2025
“Long series… we’re not backing down,” said Brown during a timeout. “They’re younger than us and pushing us around… energy, effort, intensity. That’s all it is.”
The motivation clearly worked. The Celtics ultimately won by 17.
Game 2 of Celtics-Magic is on Wednesday. While I don’t foresee too much of a challenge for the Celtics, the playoffs are always surprising.
Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis should also be better. With a 2-0 lead in sight, don’t expect a let-down.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 20, 2025
Leave a comment