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The Boston Celtics enter Game 3 with their backs against the wall after worrying injuries to key contributors in their first two playoff victories over the Orlando Magic. Wednesday's rematch at TD Garden saw the Magic cling to a 49-48 halftime lead before the reigning champions unleashed a 30-18 third-quarter run and closed out a 109-100 victory.
However, both wins appear to have come at a cost. Jayson Tatum, who contributed to the Celtics’ playoff win in Game 1 with a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double, suffered a wrist injury and did not play in Game 2. Tatum was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right distal radius and will now remain doubtful for Friday's game in Orlando.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and forward Jayson Tatum (0)© David Butler II-Imagn Images
Unfortunately, Tatum may not be the only absent star. All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, fresh off a 36-point, 10-rebound, five-assist outing in Game 2, is currently listed as questionable for Friday's game due to persistent knee impingement. Boston might also be without veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who is nursing a right hamstring strain, and also carries a questionable tag into the pivotal matchup.
Following the news, Boston’s official X account took to social media to send a strong message:
“We don’t break, we fight.”
The post paired that message with a graphic of Kristaps Porziņģis poised in a boxing ring with his head swaddled in bandage.
Now, with the series shifting to Florida, Boston will lean heavily on its depth, with Al Horford and Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard likely to see more minutes. If the Celtics can weather a potentially shorthanded rotation and stave off another Orlando upset, they’ll seize a 3-0 lead—an almost insurmountable advantage on the road.
Conversely, the Magic know that knocking off one of the title favorites would require nothing less than their season’s best effort at home.
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However, both wins appear to have come at a cost. Jayson Tatum, who contributed to the Celtics’ playoff win in Game 1 with a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double, suffered a wrist injury and did not play in Game 2. Tatum was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right distal radius and will now remain doubtful for Friday's game in Orlando.
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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and forward Jayson Tatum (0)© David Butler II-Imagn Images
Unfortunately, Tatum may not be the only absent star. All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, fresh off a 36-point, 10-rebound, five-assist outing in Game 2, is currently listed as questionable for Friday's game due to persistent knee impingement. Boston might also be without veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who is nursing a right hamstring strain, and also carries a questionable tag into the pivotal matchup.
Following the news, Boston’s official X account took to social media to send a strong message:
“We don’t break, we fight.”
The post paired that message with a graphic of Kristaps Porziņģis poised in a boxing ring with his head swaddled in bandage.
Now, with the series shifting to Florida, Boston will lean heavily on its depth, with Al Horford and Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard likely to see more minutes. If the Celtics can weather a potentially shorthanded rotation and stave off another Orlando upset, they’ll seize a 3-0 lead—an almost insurmountable advantage on the road.
Conversely, the Magic know that knocking off one of the title favorites would require nothing less than their season’s best effort at home.
Related: Shaquille O’Neal’s Blunt Reaction to Accusation After Jayson Tatum Injury
Related: Kristaps Porzingis Sends Message After Injury in Game 2
Related: Kristaps Porzingis Sends Message After Injury in Game 2
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