Orlando Magic Stuns Celtics 95-93 to Cut Series Lead to 2-1

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 95-93 in a dramatic Game 3 on Friday night, marking their first victory in the Eastern Conference first-round series. The win brings the Celtics’ lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1.

Jayson Tatum made a strong comeback from a wrist injury, scoring a game-high 36 points. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome a dismal 11-point third quarter by Boston, which led to their downfall. The Celtics struggled with ball control, committing 19 turnovers throughout the game and shooting poorly from beyond the arc.

The Celtics took an early lead, going up by as much as 12 points in the first half, largely thanks to Tatum’s scoring. He notched 21 of his 36 points before halftime. Yet, the Magic clawed back in the second half, utilizing aggressive defense that stifled the Celtics’ offense.

Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero led the charge for the Magic, pouring in 32 and 29 points, respectively. Their offensive prowess helped Orlando regain the lead in the fourth quarter, capped by a late scoring surge that ultimately put them ahead for good.

Boston attempted a late-game comeback, tying the score at 91 with 2:31 left, but the Magic responded swiftly. Wagner’s clutch baskets late in the game reiterated their resilience, allowing them to secure their first playoff win of the season.

Despite Tatum’s stellar performance, his contribution was overshadowed by the Celtics’ repeated mistakes. Jaylen Brown added 19 points, but the team went silent from three-point range, failing to connect on several attempts.

The Celtics were without guard Jrue Holiday, who sat out due to a strained hamstring, adding to their struggles. Game 4 is set for Sunday night in Orlando, and the Celtics will need to regroup if they hope to maintain their series lead.