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The Boston Celtics sent a powerful message to the rest of the NBA with a crushing 120–89 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. With this commanding win at home in TD Garden, the Celtics closed out the series 4–1, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in dominant fashion.
⚡ Second-Half Surge Seals the Series
After a tightly contested first half — with Boston holding a slim 49–47 lead — the Celtics flipped a switch. Their second-half performance was nothing short of masterful, outscoring Orlando 71–42. Every possession looked intentional. Every run had purpose.
At the center of this onslaught was Jayson Tatum, who delivered an all-around performance with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. His presence on both ends of the court elevated the Celtics’ tempo and confidence.
“We know what we’re capable of,” Tatum said after the game. “This is playoff basketball, and we came to make a statement.”
🔥 Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Tatum lit up the stat sheet, he wasn’t alone. Jaylen Brown contributed 23 points, while Derrick White and Al Horford chipped in defensively and on the boards. The Celtics’ ball movement and perimeter defense stifled any rhythm the Magic tried to build.
💔 Magic’s Playoff Hopes End Early
The Magic fought hard throughout the series, especially in Game 3 where they secured a narrow victory. But despite strong efforts from Franz Wagner (25 points) and Paolo Banchero (19 points), Orlando couldn't recover from Boston’s third-quarter explosion. The young Magic squad showed promise this postseason, but experience and depth favored Boston.
Head coach Jamahl Mosley praised his players post-game: “This group has heart. We’ll grow from this.”
🧮 Series Summary: Celtics vs. Magic
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Boston won 4–1, demonstrating their depth, composure, and playoff readiness.
⏭️ What’s Next?
The Celtics now move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they will face the winner of the New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons series — currently led by the Knicks 3–2.
With their core clicking and their defense locking in, Boston is increasingly being viewed as a favorite to come out of the East this season.
🎥 Watch Highlights
📺 Catch Game 5 highlights on NBA’s official YouTube or ESPN platforms.
