The defending champs are back where they belong. Game 1. TD Garden. A sea of green and white, buzzing for another title run. The Boston Celtics have looked like a juggernaut all season. But as they begin their first-round clash against a tough Orlando Magic squad, fans were watching the injury report as closely as the scoreboard.
Celtics at Full Strength, and Brown’s Message is Loud and Clear
Good news for Boston fans, no more waiting: Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are ready to suit up tonight. There were questions—lingering ones—about Jaylen Brown’s knee. The injections. The missed games. The mystery. But by Saturday’s practice, the only thing lingering was his intensity.
“I’m not here to talk about my knee,” Brown said. “It is what it is, and I’m just focused on Orlando.” He practiced fully. No minute restriction. And according to Jrue Holiday, “JB is just gonna be JB. Not showing weakness, mentally or physically. That’s how he plays, and that’s how we follow.”
Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, both of whom dealt with minor issues during the season, are also available. The Celtics walk into Game 1 with no players listed on the injury report.
Meanwhile, Orlando will be without two players: Jalen Suggs and Moe Wagner. Both of them have been ruled out for the rest of the season, which means that Magic knows how to hold on their own without both.
The Celtics, however, are not just healthy. They’re sharp. Since the All-Star break, they’ve gone 22-5 and haven’t looked back. Their starting lineup of White-Holiday-Brown-Tatum-Porzingis has become one of the most efficient two-way units in basketball.
And if Brown was measured in his comments, his coach wasn’t.
“He doesn’t get distracted by things around him,” Joe Mazzulla said. “He’s got this understanding of how things are supposed to go. He’s comfortable with who he is. And that’s what makes him ready for this moment.”
What the Matchup Will Look Like: Celtics’ 3s vs Magic’s Grit Will Decide Game 1
Forget the 2-1 regular-season series win by Orlando. That version of Boston didn’t feature this level of continuity or the laser focus that comes once Banner 19 is within reach. But there’s a reason the Celtics aren’t brushing them off.
The Magic are long, switchy, and strong. They ranked second in the league in defensive efficiency, and their length has historically given the Celtics trouble. Their goal? Pretty obvious, force Boston off the arc. Orlando allowed the fewest three-point attempts per game this season.
That puts the Celtics’ greatest weapon on trial. Boston attempted more threes than any team in NBA history. Their entire offensive rhythm hinges on drive-and-kick action, early-clock bombs, and spacing that stretches defenses until they break.
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates with guard Jaylen Brown (7) after a play against the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
So what gives?
Joe Mazzulla could turn to double-big lineups early, featuring Kornet or Horford alongside Porzingis. That bolsters rim protection and helps punish Orlando’s smaller second units. But it also risks clogging the lane—something Orlando wants. Watch for Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser to be early X-factors, spacing the floor and punishing Orlando’s aggressive closeouts.
On the other end, the Celtics will need to control Banchero and Franz Wagner without fouling. Orlando thrives when they get to the line and play through contact. Their halfcourt offense? Not built to trade haymakers with Boston. If the Celtics keep them grounded and out of transition, the math heavily tilts toward the home team.
Brown and Tatum will take turns bodying up Orlando’s wings. And while Orlando has impressive defensive options, they don’t have two of them. The Jays will hunt mismatches all night. The biggest variable? Jaylen Brown’s lift and lateral movement. If he’s close to full capacity, this could be a short series.
Orlando will make it ugly. They have to. Limit threes. Crash the glass. Push in transition. It’s the right script. But Boston, at full strength, plays with too much purpose. Too many weapons. And too much at stake. This isn’t just another series. This is the first page of a title defense. And tonight, Jaylen Brown isn’t limping in. He’s marching.
The post Will Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum Play Today Vs Magic? Boston Celtic’s Injury Report Ahead of Playoff Opener appeared first on EssentiallySports.