The Boston Celtics couldn’t extend their lead in the NBA Playoff series, falling 95-93 to the Orlando Magic in Florida. With the Magic’s victory, the series now stands at 2-1 in favor of the Celtics. In the aftermath of the loss, Jaylen Brown sent a stern warning to Orlando heading into Game 4.
The series between these two teams has been one of the most physically intense in the playoffs. The Magic have relentlessly pressured the Celtics, with at least one Boston player suffering an injury in each of the first three games.
Brown, who dislocated a finger early in Game 3 after a hard foul by Cole Anthony, addressed the escalating physicality and tension. The Celtics forward gave a warning to the Magic ahead of Game 4, which is set to take place on Sunday, April 27, at the Kia Center.
“It might be a fight breaking out or something because it’s starting to feel like it’s not even basketball,” Brown remarked in press conference after the game. “And the refs are not controlling the environment. So, it is what it is. If we wanna fight, we can do that. We can fight to see who goes to the second round”.
detailed view of a bandage on the head of Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic in Game Two. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Celtics’ injuries against the Magic
While physicality is a hallmark of playoff basketball, the Celtics have taken a significant toll from the Magic’s aggressive play throughout the series. In Game 1, Jayson Tatum bruised his wrist after a hard foul from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sent him to the floor, which caused him to miss Game 2—the first postseason game he’s ever sat out in his career.
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Kristaps Porzingis was next to be hurt, requiring five stitches after Goga Bitadze’s elbow split his forehead in Game 2. Lastly, Brown suffered a dislocated finger in Game 3 after an excessive foul by Cole Anthony.
Joe Mazzulla reacts to Brown’s comments
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla weighed in on Brown’s comments, explaining that if the series demands a more physical approach, then that’s exactly what the team would do.
“I don’t know that he said it out of frustration as he did out of the perspective of doing what it takes to win. If the environment calls for upping the physicality, then that’s what we have to do,” Mazzulla said, via Gary Washburn.
