Tatum Stars as Celtics Take 3-1 Lead Over Magic in Playoffs

ORLANDO, Fla. — Jayson Tatum sat grimacing on the court, his injured right wrist wrapped in protective tape. After being fouled hard during the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the Orlando Magic, he tested his pain before finding the strength to continue playing.

Despite the injury, Tatum lifted the Boston Celtics to a 3-1 series lead after scoring 37 points in the Sunday matchup. His performance included a crucial 25-foot 3-pointer that came after a physical foul sent him tumbling on the floor at the Kia Center.

Tatum raised his hands in celebration after making the shot, commenting, “I think people are taking notice,” about his new celebration. He has been dominant since returning from an injury that forced him to miss the first playoff game of his career.

In Game 3, Tatum scored 36 points, and during his recent performance, he connected on all 14 of his free throws, nine coming during the intensity of the final quarter. “I know what I’m dealing with,” he said about his wrist. “It’s the playoffs.”

Rookie teammate Jordan Walsh helped develop Tatum’s celebratory antics. The Celtics face a tough road ahead as they prepare for Game 5 against the Magic, with Tatum putting the team in a good position to advance.

The Magic, known for their aggressive defense, limited the Celtics to just 31 3-point attempts in Game 4, a stark contrast to Boston’s league-leading 48.4 attempts during the regular season. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Orlando, saying they have a versatile team that executes game plans effectively.

The Celtics secured their first victory in Orlando since October 2022, breaking a five-game losing streak. “This was a big win on the road in a tough, physical environment against a team that’s been eager to take us out,” said Jaylen Brown. “It’s not over. We’ve got to close it out because we don’t want to come back here.”

Kristaps Porzingis also contributed, rebounding impressively after a lackluster Game 3 performance. He praised Tatum’s determination, noting, “This guy is special. He just… developed more of a killer instinct in this series.”