Celtics Demolish Magic 120-89 in Game 5, Surge into Eastern Conference Semifinals

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
By
Celtics Demolish Magic 120-89 in Game 5, Surge into Eastern Conference Semifinals
Celtics
The Boston Celtics delivered a commanding 120-89 rout of the Orlando Magic in Game 5 at TD Garden, sealing their first-round NBA playoff series 4-1 and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The defending champions showcased their offensive firepower and defensive dominance, overwhelming the Magic in front of a raucous home crowd to keep their pursuit of a second straight title alive.
Jayson Tatum spearheaded the victory with a stellar 35-point, 8-rebound, 10-assist performance, shooting 14-of-22 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range. His playmaking set the tone early, as he dished out six assists in the first quarter alone, exploiting Orlando’s defensive rotations. Jaylen Brown, playing through a lingering knee injury, contributed 21 points and 6 rebounds, including a pair of highlight-reel dunks that ignited the crowd. Derrick White added 18 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, anchoring Boston’s perimeter defense while knocking down four three-pointers.
The game turned decisively in the third quarter, where the Celtics unleashed a 30-9 onslaught, including a 24-4 run that buried the Magic. Boston’s suffocating defense, ranked No. 4 in the regular season, held Orlando to 3-of-18 shooting in the period while forcing six turnovers. The Celtics capitalized on fast-break opportunities, outscoring the Magic 18-2 in transition points during the quarter. Their long-range shooting was equally lethal, with 17 three-pointers compared to Orlando’s 8, led by Tatum, White, and Sam Hauser, who went 3-of-4 from deep off the bench for 11 points.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, the Magic’s leading scorer in the series, fought valiantly but was limited by foul trouble. He picked up his fourth and fifth fouls early in the third quarter, forcing him to the bench for much of the second half. Banchero finished with 24 points and 7 rebounds but shot just 9-of-20, struggling against Al Horford’s physical defense. Franz Wagner added 15 points, but the Magic’s offense sputtered, managing only 34 points in the second half as Boston’s bench outscored Orlando’s 42-22.
The Celtics’ depth shone through, with Kristaps Porzingis chipping in 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks despite battling early foul trouble of his own. Payton Pritchard provided a spark off the bench, scoring 10 points and adding 4 assists in 18 minutes. Boston’s ball movement was crisp, totaling 28 assists on 44 made field goals, while their defense held the Magic to 38% shooting and forced 14 turnovers.
The series win marks Boston’s third straight first-round victory under coach Joe Mazzulla, who praised his team’s focus. “We executed our game plan, stayed disciplined, and played Celtics basketball,” Mazzulla said post-game. The blowout capped a series where Boston won Games 1, 3, and 4 by double digits, though Orlando stole Game 2 in Boston, 104-101, behind Banchero’s 36 points.
Social media buzzed with excitement, as posts on X captured fans’ elation. One user wrote, “Tatum’s running the show, and this team’s defense is unreal. On to the next!” The victory sets the stage for a second-round matchup against the winner of the New York Knicks-Detroit Pistons series, which the Knicks lead 3-2 heading into Game 6. Boston, with a 64-18 regular-season record, remains the favorite to emerge from the East, bolstered by their playoff experience and top-ranked net rating.
As the Celtics prepare for the semifinals, they’ll look to maintain their momentum. Tatum, reflecting on the win, emphasized the team’s mindset: “We’re locked in. This is just the first step.” With their stars healthy and their bench firing on all cylinders, Boston is poised to make another deep playoff run in pursuit of Banner 19.

Comments

MORE FROM
sports

More From 3Music News

Ayra Starr’s THE YEAR I TURNED 21 Breaks Barriers with 1 Billion Spotify Streams, First for a Nigerian Female Artiste
entertainment | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 20th, 2025

Ayra Starr’s THE YEAR I TURNED 21 Breaks Barriers with 1 Billion Spotify Streams, First for a Nigerian Female Artiste

Ayra Starr has etched her name in music history as her sophomore album, THE YEAR I TURNED 21, surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the first Nigerian project by a female artiste to achieve this milestone.

FIFA Honors Ghanaian Football Icons Wilberforce Mfum and Nana Pooley with Minute of Silence at 75th Congress
sports | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 20th, 2025

FIFA Honors Ghanaian Football Icons Wilberforce Mfum and Nana Pooley with Minute of Silence at 75th Congress

FIFA paid a heartfelt tribute to Ghanaian football legend Wilberforce Mfum and devoted Asante Kotoko fan Francis “Nana Pooley” Frimpong during the 75th FIFA Congress in Asunción, Paraguay, with a solemn minute of silence.

Ibrahim Sulemana Shines with Man of the Match Award in Atalanta’s Thrilling Victory Over Genoa
music | entertainment | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 20th, 2025

Ibrahim Sulemana Shines with Man of the Match Award in Atalanta’s Thrilling Victory Over Genoa

Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana earned the prestigious Serie A Man of the Match award following a stellar performance in Atalanta’s 3-2 victory against Genoa on May 17, 2025.

Morgan Wallen’s I’M THE PROBLEM Shatters Streaming Records on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music in First Day
music | entertainment | culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 20th, 2025

Morgan Wallen’s I’M THE PROBLEM Shatters Streaming Records on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music in First Day

Morgan Wallen’s fourth studio album, I’M THE PROBLEM, has taken the music world by storm, breaking first-day streaming records across Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.

Shakira Ignites MetLife Stadium with Star-Studded Performances Alongside Pitbull, Rauw Alejandro, and Wyclef Jean
music | entertainment | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 20th, 2025

Shakira Ignites MetLife Stadium with Star-Studded Performances Alongside Pitbull, Rauw Alejandro, and Wyclef Jean

Shakira delivered an electrifying performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, captivating fans with her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.

Seyi Vibez Set to Drop First Full-Length Album Since Parting Ways with Dapper Music
entertainment | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 20th, 2025

Seyi Vibez Set to Drop First Full-Length Album Since Parting Ways with Dapper Music

Nigerian artiste Seyi Vibez is reportedly gearing up to release a new album, marking a significant milestone in his career as his first full-length project since leaving Dapper Music.

Upholding Excellence: The Educator’s Role in Shaping Tomorrow
culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 20th, 2025

Upholding Excellence: The Educator’s Role in Shaping Tomorrow

As educators, we are entrusted with the profound responsibility of shaping the minds and futures of the next generation. Our profession demands unwavering dedication, expertise, and integrity, reflecting the highest standards of professionalism.

Tyla’s PUSH 2 START Hits 500,000 Units Sold in the US, Marking Another Milestone for the Afrobeats Star
music | entertainment | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 19th, 2025

Tyla’s PUSH 2 START Hits 500,000 Units Sold in the US, Marking Another Milestone for the Afrobeats Star

South African artiate Tyla has notched another impressive achievement as her single PUSH 2 START surpassed 500,000 units sold in the United States.

Runtown Unveils SOUNDGOD FEST IV, His Seventh Official Album Set to Drop on June 6th
music | entertainment | culture | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 19th, 2025

Runtown Unveils SOUNDGOD FEST IV, His Seventh Official Album Set to Drop on June 6th

Nigerian afrobeats star Runtown has thrilled fans with the announcement of his upcoming album, SOUNDGOD FEST IV, slated for release on June 6, 2025.

Prince Gyasi X Balmain’s BOUQUET GOLD BELT Shines at the Met Museum in FW 24/25 Collection Showcase
entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 19th, 2025

Prince Gyasi X Balmain’s BOUQUET GOLD BELT Shines at the Met Museum in FW 24/25 Collection Showcase

The BOUQUET GOLD BELT a standout piece from the Prince Gyasi X Balmain Fall/Winter 2024/25 Collection, is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captivating visitors with its fusion of high fashion and contemporary art.

Tyla Joins Star-Studded SMURFS Movie Soundtrack with Rihanna, Cardi B, and More on FRIEND OF MINE
music | entertainment | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 19th, 2025

Tyla Joins Star-Studded SMURFS Movie Soundtrack with Rihanna, Cardi B, and More on FRIEND OF MINE

South African pop-amapiano artiste Tyla has been confirmed to feature on the soundtrack for the upcoming SMURFS movie, set to release on July 18, 2025, joining global heavyweights like Rihanna, Cardi B, DJ Khaled, Desi Trill, Natania, and Subhi.

THE KING OF KINGS Breaks Records, Outgrosses PARASITE with $54.7 Million Haul Since April 11 Release
entertainment | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | May 19th, 2025

THE KING OF KINGS Breaks Records, Outgrosses PARASITE with $54.7 Million Haul Since April 11 Release

Korea’s Mofac Studio, led by CEO and director Jang Seong-ho, has made history with THE KING OF KINGS, an animated faith-based film that has earned $54.7 million since its April 11, 2025, release, surpassing the U.S. box office record for a Korean film previously set by Bong Joon-ho’s PARASITE at $53.8 million.

More Similar Videos

No similar videos to show related to this post. Explore other sections.