Celtics Defeat Magic 109-100 in Tatum's Absence

The Boston Celtics overcame the absence of Jayson Tatum, who was sidelined with a wrist injury, to secure a 2-0 series lead against the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Jaylen Brown stepped up with an outstanding performance, scoring 36 points and contributing across the board, while Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and energized the crowd despite suffering a bleeding head injury after an elbow from Goga Bitadze, who was assessed a flagrant foul. The game was marked by physical play and heightened tensions, reflecting the competitive nature of the series. Despite missing their star player, the Celtics relied on their depth, with Derrick White and Payton Pritchard combining for significant contributions. Orlando's Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner put up strong numbers, but the Celtics maintained control. The series now shifts to Orlando for the next two games.