ORLANDO, Fla. — The Boston Celtics are feeling the physical toll of their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, where intense contact has led to multiple injuries across the first three games.
Game 1 saw Jayson Tatum suffer a right wrist injury after a flagrant foul sent him crashing to the floor. It marked the first playoff game he’s ever missed in his career. In Game 2, another flagrant foul opened a gash on Kristaps Porzingis’ forehead, needing five stitches. Then in Game 3, Jaylen Brown dislocated a finger on his left hand after being slammed to the court by another flagrant foul.
The Celtics, who still hold a 2-1 series lead, are growing frustrated with what they consider overly aggressive and unchecked play from Orlando. “It’s starting to feel like it’s not even basketball,” Brown said postgame. “If they want to fight it out, we can fight.”
Porzingis echoed that sentiment, calling Orlando’s approach “borderline fouling,” and emphasized that Boston would need to match that physicality moving forward.
Game 3 exposed some of Boston’s struggles: they committed 21 turnovers (tying a season high), hit just nine 3-pointers on a season-low 27 attempts, and managed only 11 points in the third quarter, their lowest-scoring quarter all season. Orlando capitalized, with Franz Wagner scoring 32 and Paolo Banchero adding 29 in a narrow 95-93 win.
Tatum, listed as doubtful due to the wrist bruise, returned with a wrapped wrist and dropped 36 points, making all 12 of his free throws. “It’s just about managing the pain,” he said. “You’ve got to get up and move on.”
Brown also revealed he dislocated his finger during a second-quarter collision with Cole Anthony but shrugged it off: “I’ve got nine more.”
The Celtics were without Jrue Holiday (hamstring), and their offense continued to sputter against Orlando’s defense, which ranked No. 1 in the league during the regular season. The Magic have held Boston below their season averages in nearly every category and are proving a tough matchup, particularly in Orlando where Boston is now winless this season.
“They pressured us more, didn’t allow easy switches,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “We’ve got to give them credit and we’ve got to adjust.”
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