Defending Champion Celtics Close Out Magic 120-89 for 4-1 Playoff Series Win

BOSTON, (WE) — April 29, 2025 – The Boston Celtics are headed back to the Eastern Conference semifinals, and they did it with the kind of emphatic win that sends a message to the rest of the NBA.

Powered by a dominant performance from Jayson Tatum—who posted 35 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds—the defending NBA champions overwhelmed the Orlando Magic in Game 5, securing a 120-89 victory at TD Garden on Tuesday night to win the series 4-1.

The win sends Boston through to the second round, where they’ll await the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. The Knicks hold a 3-2 edge despite a 106-103 loss earlier Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

But tonight belonged to the Celtics—and especially to their All-NBA forward.

“He was unstoppable,” said Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla postgame. “Jayson came into this series banged up, missed a game, but stepped back in and showed why he’s one of the best in the league. This was a statement.”

Banchero’s Foul Trouble Changes the Game

The turning point came midway through the third quarter, as Paolo Banchero—Orlando’s star forward—was forced to the bench with five fouls. At the time, the Magic were still in the fight, leading 51-47 and successfully stifling Boston’s rhythm. But Banchero’s absence changed everything.

Just 79 seconds after being hit with his fourth personal, Banchero picked up his fifth on a shooting foul against Jaylen Brown. Coach Jamahl Mosley erupted from the sideline, demanding a review. Replays confirmed the contact.

From that moment forward, the Celtics surged. Boston closed the quarter on a 36-11 run, transforming what had been a nail-biter into a rout. The 83-62 lead heading into the final frame deflated any momentum Orlando had managed to sustain.

“That stretch, man, it changed everything,” said Magic guard Markelle Fultz. “We were battling, right there with them, and then Paolo gets that fifth foul and suddenly everything slips.”

A Cold Start Turns into a Flamethrower Finish

Ironically, Boston’s record-setting three-point shooting deserted them early. The Celtics—who averaged 42.5% from deep during the regular season and set a league record with 1,351 made threes—went the entire first half without making a single triple.

It was the first time since 2021 that Boston had failed to make a three-pointer before halftime, going 0-for-6. That drought ended just after halftime when Tatum connected from the left wing to cut the Magic lead to one. Seven minutes later, he sank another. The floodgates opened from there.

“I told the guys, ‘We’re not going to keep missing,’” said Al Horford, who added 10 rebounds and two blocks. “You just have to keep playing the right way.”

Boston finished 8-for-22 from long range—hardly their best mark—but the threes came when they mattered most.

Tatum Delivers Again

After missing Game 2 with a wrist injury suffered on a hard foul in Game 1, Tatum returned for Games 3, 4, and 5 with a vengeance. He’s now scored at least 35 points in three straight playoff games for the second time in his career.

On Tuesday, he shot 10-for-16 from the field and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Perhaps more impressively, he was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line—he hasn’t missed a foul shot since Game 1.

“I feel good,” said Tatum, brushing aside questions about lingering wrist pain. “It’s playoff time. You do what it takes.”

Balanced Celtics Attack

While Tatum’s brilliance led the way, Boston’s depth showed up as well.

Jaylen Brown scored 23 points and added seven rebounds and three steals. Derrick White chipped in with 15 points and a pair of highlight-reel assists. Kristaps Porziņģis had a quiet night statistically (9 points, 6 rebounds) but played crucial help defense during the third-quarter swing.

Off the bench, Payton Pritchard knocked down two key three-pointers during Boston’s decisive run, while Sam Hauser gave quality minutes with hustle plays and perimeter defense.

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Orlando’s Season Ends with Promise—but Questions Remain

Despite the lopsided defeat, the Magic exit the playoffs with their heads high.

Led by a core of Banchero, Franz Wagner (25 points), and Wendell Carter Jr. (12 points, 10 rebounds), the young Magic squad took a step forward by not only qualifying for the postseason but putting up a fight against the league’s defending champions.

Still, Tuesday night marked yet another reminder of the franchise’s long playoff drought. Orlando hasn’t won a playoff series since 2010, when Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, and Stan Van Gundy led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals.

“I’m proud of this group,” Mosley said in his postgame press conference. “We’ve grown. We’ve competed. And this experience—we’ll use it.”

Banchero, who made the All-Star Game in just his second season, showed flashes of superstardom throughout the series, averaging 24.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. But his Game 5 stat line—19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 fouls—tells the story of a night cut short by whistles.

“It hurts,” Banchero admitted. “But we’re coming back. We’ve got something special here.”

Celtics Locked In for Title Defense

Boston’s message to the rest of the league is clear: they’re not ready to give up the crown.

A year removed from their title run—marked by a Finals victory over the Denver Nuggets—the Celtics have returned to the postseason with a vengeance. After some early concerns about injuries and cold shooting, they look primed to contend again.

“We didn’t shoot well to start, but our defense kept us in it,” Mazzulla said. “Once we locked in, we looked like ourselves.”

Boston held Orlando to just 38.6% shooting from the field and 7-for-28 from beyond the arc. They forced 16 turnovers and outrebounded the Magic 48-37.

The Celtics have now won 11 of their last 12 playoff games dating back to last year’s NBA Finals.

What’s Next: Knicks or Pistons Await

Boston will enjoy a brief break while awaiting the outcome of the Knicks-Pistons series.

New York, led by Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, looked poised to close out the series Tuesday, but a late-game surge by Detroit kept things alive.

The Pistons, one of the league’s surprise stories this postseason, have leaned heavily on rookie sensation Ron Holland and second-year guard Jaden Ivey.

Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Should New York advance, Boston would host Game 1 of the East Semifinals on Sunday.

Final Box Score Highlights – Game 5

Boston Celtics:

• Jayson Tatum – 35 PTS, 10 AST, 8 REB
• Jaylen Brown – 23 PTS, 7 REB
• Derrick White – 15 PTS, 4 AST
• Al Horford – 6 PTS, 10 REB, 2 BLK
• Kristaps Porziņģis – 9 PTS, 6 REB

Orlando Magic:

• Franz Wagner – 25 PTS, 5 REB
• Paolo Banchero – 19 PTS, 6 REB, 5 PF
• Wendell Carter Jr. – 12 PTS, 10 REB
• Markelle Fultz – 9 PTS, 3 AST
• Anthony Black – 7 PTS, 2 STL

Celtics’ Championship Odds Climb

Following the Game 5 blowout, oddsmakers at FanDuel and DraftKings moved the Celtics up as co-favorites with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns to win the 2025 NBA championship.

With Tatum healthy, Brown consistent, and the roster’s depth showing its value, Boston may very well be on the path to back-to-back banners for the first time since Larry Bird led them in the 1980s.

“We’ve got the formula,” Brown said. “We’ve been here before. Now we just have to finish the job.”