Derrick White Drops 30, Tatum Shakes Off Scary Fall as Celtics Cruise Past Magic in Game 1

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Derrick White scores 30, Tatum stays in game after fall and Celtics beat Magic 103-86 in Game 1 Derrick White scores 30, Tatum stays in game after fall and Celtics beat Magic 103-86 in Game 1

Boston takes series opener 103–86 behind White’s hot shooting and third-quarter surge

BOSTON (WE)— Derrick White scored 30 points, hitting seven 3-pointers and leading a second-half charge, while Jayson Tatum played through a frightening fall late in the fourth quarter to help the Boston Celtics defeat the Orlando Magic 103–86 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Sunday at TD Garden.

Tatum added 17 points and stayed in the game after taking a hard hit from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a dunk attempt, while Payton Pritchard added 19 off the bench. Jaylen Brown, returning from a knee issue that sidelined him for the last three regular-season games, scored 16 points in 31 minutes.

Boston seized control with a dominant third quarter and capitalized on Orlando’s 15 turnovers, converting them into 24 points. The Celtics shot 43.2% from beyond the arc (16-for-37) and clamped down defensively in the second half to build a cushion Orlando never challenged.

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero was a lone bright spot, finishing with 36 points and 11 rebounds, while Franz Wagner added 23. But the Magic couldn’t withstand Boston’s pressure, especially during the decisive third quarter.

White’s Offensive Spark Lights Up TD Garden

In a game that started slowly for both offenses, it was Derrick White who provided the spark Boston needed. He connected on seven of his 13 attempts from beyond the arc and finished 11-for-20 from the field. His ability to stretch the floor and navigate Orlando’s pick-and-roll coverage proved essential, particularly during the Celtics’ 30–18 third-quarter run that broke the game open.

White scored 12 of his 30 points in that frame, including back-to-back threes midway through the quarter that turned a three-point Boston lead into a double-digit advantage.

“He’s the kind of guy who keeps us steady when we need to settle, and explosive when we need to push,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame. “His leadership tonight, both scoring and orchestrating, made a huge difference.”

Tatum Takes Hit, Shakes It Off

With 8:28 left and Boston leading 89–73, Jayson Tatum attacked the rim and was fouled hard by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Tatum crashed awkwardly to the court on his right side and remained down for several seconds, clutching his right hand. After review, officials upgraded the foul to a flagrant one.

Though Tatum missed both free throws, he stayed in the game and helped close out the win.

“Initially I was worried — it was a pretty hard fall,” Tatum said. “But once I got up and moved around a little, I knew I could finish.”

Tatum finished the night 6-of-14 from the field, adding six rebounds and four assists. His resilience drew praise from teammates.

“He’s our leader,” White said. “Seeing him get back up like that and keep going just gave all of us a boost.”

Brown Looks Sharp in Return

Jaylen Brown looked fluid and aggressive in his first action since receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection to address knee soreness. He scored 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting and played a team-high 31 minutes.

Brown opened his night with a turnover but quickly made up for it, stripping Banchero in the first quarter to help Boston generate a fast-break score. Later, he drove past Banchero and finished a left-handed layup in traffic.

His early activity — four points, two rebounds, two steals, and an assist in the game’s first seven minutes — set the tone.

“He didn’t look limited at all,” Mazzulla noted. “We were smart with his minutes and he responded well.”

Third Quarter: The Turning Point

After trailing 47–46 at halftime, the Celtics came out of the break with renewed focus. Boston forced six turnovers in the third quarter and outscored Orlando 30–18. White and Pritchard combined for 18 points in the period, while Tatum and Brown each added six.

The Celtics’ defense was particularly sharp, contesting shots, clogging lanes, and limiting Orlando to just 7-of-19 shooting in the quarter. Marcus Smart and Jrue Holiday combined for five steals on the night, helping anchor the perimeter effort.

By the end of the third, Boston had turned a one-point deficit into a 78–65 lead, and the Magic never got closer than 12 again.

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Orlando Shows Fight Behind Banchero

Despite the loss, Paolo Banchero delivered a commanding performance in his playoff debut. The 2022 No. 1 overall pick scored 36 points on 14-of-25 shooting and pulled down 11 rebounds. He was aggressive from the start, hitting midrange jumpers, driving into contact, and drawing fouls.

“Paolo was special,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “He showed why he’s one of the best young talents in this league. We need more guys to match that intensity.”

Franz Wagner chipped in 23 points and five rebounds but struggled with turnovers, committing four. Orlando’s ball security issues were central to the team’s unraveling. The Magic committed 15 turnovers in total, many of them unforced or in transition, leading directly to Boston points.

“We can’t give them 24 points off mistakes,” Wagner said. “Against a team like Boston, that’s the game right there.”

By the Numbers

Celtics 3-point shooting: 16-of-37 (43.2%)
Magic turnovers: 15
Celtics points off turnovers: 24
Bench scoring: Boston 29, Orlando 14
Fast break points: Boston 17, Orlando 9
Rebounds: Celtics 44, Magic 41

What’s Next: Game 2 Adjustments

Game 2 is set for Wednesday night in Boston, and both teams are expected to make tactical adjustments.

For Boston: The Celtics will look to maintain defensive pressure, especially in the third quarter where they’ve often thrived this season. Expect more minutes for Pritchard after his 19-point performance and a continued emphasis on pace and floor spacing.

For Orlando: Ball security will be the top priority. The Magic will need to reduce live-ball turnovers and find more ways to get Wagner involved without forcing the issue. Defensive discipline on closeouts will also be key, given Boston’s volume from three.