After winning the opening round series in this 2025 NBA playoffs, the title defense continues for the Boston Celtics.
The Boston Celtics endured the tough and very physical slugfest of all series in the series, eventually sealing off the gentleman’s sweep and won Orlando Magic on April 29th at TD Garden with a wire-to-wire 120-89 game 5 game 5 smackdown.
Jason Tatum was in charge of a high-scoring victory, with a collective effort for the defending champion. The Celtics superstar continued to shruggle the wrist issues he maintained at the start of the series, sending Magic Home with explosions with 35 points and 10 assists.
Jalen Brown provided 23 points and six rebounds, but Payton Pritchard was huge off the bench as the newly-built sixth Man of the Year had 10 markers and three boards.
The Celtics are now in comfortable waiting mode, ready to predict who will come out between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Piston from separate first-round brackets at the Eastern Conference.
They were hurt and abused, but the Celtics tasted the experiences they gained from a young, brave magical team.
In addition to creating historic milestones, Celtic didn’t seem to enjoy the series more than Jason Tatum.
After they conquered the Play-in Tournament, the young magic superstar expressed his enthusiasm to rise against Tatum, whom he considers to be both his close brother and his court.
The two share similarities in terms of basketball position and playstyle. They were also the proud college basketball products of the Duke Blue Devils.
In the post-match press, Tatum provided flowers for impressive growth and the stands the 22-year-old presented to him throughout the 2025 postseason.
“I mean, they’re cool,” Tatum said. “After the game, I was able to talk a little with him in the hallway, and I didn’t say two words to him during the series.
“It’s difficult, but it’s part of the competition. You just try to have that edge throughout the series.
“I couldn’t be happy for him and the players he became. From Duke and every year he was incredible with this series.”
Despite being so badly destroyed by the injuries claimed by Jalen Suggs, The Magic showed a commendable battle against the dominant champions behind Banchero’s leadership.
Throughout the five-game series, Orlando Forwards averaged 29.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists to carry the magic over 39.4 minutes. He also tallied an efficient 44.4% rate from a 3-point distance.
What he showed against the Celtics was that former NBA star Matt Burns was persuading him to call him one of the league’s future faces.
He may have won him in this year’s playoffs, but Tatum is sure there will be more fights between him and Banchero.
“He made it difficult for us. He’s a matchup nightmare and he just keeps getting better,” Tatum added.
“I’m sure there will be more fights over the next few years.”