Jayson Tatum’s Brilliance Seals Celtics’ Semifinal Berth
Boston fans saw something special in Game 5. Jayson Tatum put on an absolute show at TD Garden, dropping 35 points along with 10 assists and 8 rebounds, and he didn’t miss a single free throw—the sort of performance that leaves a mark on NBA playoff history. Tatum made all 11 of his free throws, hitting the rare milestone of making 10 or more in three straight postseason games, something no one else has ever pulled off in the league’s long history. Talk about stepping up when the lights are brightest.
The Celtics looked like a team on a mission, dominating the Magic 120-89 to close out the first round 4-1 and punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Orlando hung around in the game’s early minutes, but once Boston found its rhythm, it was a runaway train.
Tatum didn’t just score—he orchestrated the offense, whipping passes to the corners and collapsing Orlando’s defense. Jaylen Brown was right by his side, pouring in 23 points along with 6 boards.
- Tatum: 35 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 11-11 FT
- Brown: 23 points, 6 rebounds
Turnaround Behind the Arc—And a Defensive Clampdown
Boston’s slow start from deep had the crowd a little itchy—they missed their first eight threes, no less. But when the shots finally started falling, it got ugly for Orlando in a hurry. The Celtics connected on a scorching 13 of their next 17 attempts from beyond the arc, flipping the switch and shutting the door on any hint of a comeback. It was as if someone hit fast-forward and the floodgates burst wide open in the second half.
Orlando’s Franz Wagner tried to pull his team along, finishing with 21 points. But the Magic just couldn’t keep up once the Celtics turned up the heat. Every missed Orlando shot at one end seemed to lead to a runout or a wide-open look at the other. When Al Horford rejected a layup in the third quarter, it was a telling moment—Boston’s defense had settled in, and Orlando had nowhere to go. That block sparked a run that stretched a modest 10-point advantage into a blowout by the fourth.
Now the Celtics sit back and wait to find out if the New York Knicks or Detroit Pistons will be next. The Knicks are up 3-2 in their series and host Game 6. If they hold on, it's a classic Boston-New York rivalry all over again. If not, Detroit gets a shot. Either way, Tatum’s form has everyone in the East on notice—he’s scored 35 or more in two out of five playoff games and has been the steady playmaker Boston fans have been hoping for.
This wasn’t just a win; it felt like a statement. After years of “will they, won’t they?” in the postseason, the Celtics don’t just look like contenders—they look like the team every other squad wants to avoid on their path to the Finals.
