NBA PLAYOFFS: Rnd 1, Gm 3 – Celtics @ Magic – 7:00PM, Fri, April 25, 2025

[ConstableGeneva]

The Magic have won FOUR consecutive games against the Celtics in their home floor. That's the longest active home win streak vs. the Cs. The only other team with at least three straight is OKC.

[ConstableGeneva]

Haven't listened to this yet. Mazzulla probably called Tatum soft.

Watch on YouTube

EDIT: JT is still day-to-day and is getting better with the wrist. There's a protocol he has to go through before he gets the thumbs up.

[phincsfan]

Mazzulla shares update on Tatum's ‘severe' bone bruise ahead of Game 3
"He's doing whatever he can."

"Yeah, there will definitely be a chance," Mazzulla said when asked about the possibility of Tatum playing in Game 3. "Again, he's dealing with a severe bone bruise. He's day-to-day, and he's progressively gotten a little bit better each day."

Mazzulla played coy Wednesday night when asked about Tatum, saying he had "no idea" when he found out the Celtics star wouldn't play in Game 2. He was a bit more forthcoming Thursday, however, revealing that Tatum made every effort to play before being ruled out shortly before tip-off.

"He went through all the protocols and did everything he could possibly do up until the last moment to try and play, and just wasn't able to do it," Mazzulla said. "But he'll go back at it again today, and he's in that day-to-day process right now.
"At the end of the day, I know he'll do whatever it takes to put himself in a position to play and put our team in position to win. It's just kind of who he is, and we're just trusting that."

"He's doing whatever he can, every minute of the 24 hours, to put him(self) in position to try and be out there on the court," Mazzulla said. "I trust his process. I trust his mindset, trust the people around him that helped put him in position, and that's all we can do."

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/jayson-tatum-injury-update-joe-mazzulla-game-3/704689/

I listened to his weekly call-in on Zo and Beetle this morning. He was pretty straight forward about not answering for JT or the medical staff. He said "that's above my pay-scale". Joe always knows how to lighten the mood.

[Parliament10]

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[FlatearthZorro]

I'm done with the Magic, I just decided that I'll be cocky... Bring out the brooms in Disney World.... C's in 4. Pozringod going for 30+ in game 3.

[keevsnick1]

Based of the general tone of the Mazzula interview and some stuff we heard from Shams it seems like Tatum may not play in game 3 either, but we'll see what the injury report says today. Winning game two buys them some wiggle room in slow rolling the injury, the C's should win this series even if Tatum doesn't play another minute in it.

The bone bruise itself may not be a huge deal but a bone bruise does increase your risk for a hairline fracture so best to be cautious.

[ConstableGeneva]

Magic already submitted their injury report. Suggs and Mo Wagner are OUT. Celtics haven't yet.

EDIT:
Tatum (wrist) is DOUBTFUL. Holiday (hamstring) is QUESTIONABLE.

[ConstableGeneva]

Celtics IG showing Tatum without his wrist brace carrying his own bags while boarding the team plane to Orlando. How heavy those bags are, one can only guess. Who knows if those are only stuffed with Charmin' Soft Toilet Paper.

[keevsnick1]

Magic already submitted their injury report. Suggs and Mo Wagner are OUT. Celtics haven't yet.

EDIT:
Tatum (wrist) is DOUBTFUL. Holiday (hamstring) is QUESTIONABLE.

Tatum being doubtful is what I expected, surprise appearance from Jrue Holiday. Not good, hamstring strains can linger.

[redslastlaugh]

Okay, gonna be interesting how we can fill those minutes if one or both can't go.
Sam hasn't gotten going yet but I think he will, so tomorrow could be his night
And then we have three more non-bigs who haven't played these playoffs : Torrey Craig, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh

I think we'll see some of our depth pieces get an opportunity on Friday. And don't forget about Queta too.

Tatum (wrist) is DOUBTFUL. Holiday (hamstring) is QUESTIONABLE.

[djFan71]

One thing to note re Kornet is he probably benefits the most from playing with Tatum. JB did great, but he's not he pnr maestro to get Luke easy looks, etc, that Tatum is. That said, Luke looked a shellshocked out there by the physicality - not catching balls he should, etc. I think he can settle in a little on that front and do his rebouding, etc, but without Tatum, I don't think we see full reg season Luke.

[Fierce1]

We really don't know how bad the injury is.
But tomorrow will be the 5th day since JT hurt that wrist.

Hopefully that's enough rest.

[playa-hater]

I'll be the 3rd or 4th to agree with the notion of Queta getting some minutes. He has a little bit more of a mean. Streak and intimidation factor near the rim. And I think in spot minutes he can help.

But I also don't see him coming in. Because joe is a bit stubborn in that regard.

I haven't mentioned this yet, but I really think the league wants this series to go longer for obvious reasons. So expect everything to be thrown at Boston tomorrow.

[Tyakack]

We really don't know how bad the injury is.
But tomorrow will be the 5th day since JT hurt that wrist.

Hopefully that's enough rest.

Yeah, if he is too hurt to be effective for the rest of the playoffs literally nothing we are doing now even matters. Just hoping that isn't the case.

[ConstableGeneva]

Kornet is still playable as long as it's with KP. There's less pressure on him to impact the offense, can just occupy a defender in the dunker spot while KP stays high. Defensively, they've been great together (haven't checked the numbers) per eye test. There's always someone protecting the paint when those two play together.

But if we're missing both Tatum and Holiday, Craig is playoff-battle-ready. He can play at 10-15 mins. Joe can just have a quicker hook than usual if it doesn't work. As much as Sam's improved with his individual defense, I think both Wagner and esp Banchero is a load for him. Without Holiday, Joe would have to be more creative with his defense on Paolo (though PP's done a good job whenever he gets switched on him -- not sure why Banchero keeps facing him up).

White (38) | Hauser (24) | Brown (38) | Horford (34) | Porzingis (36)
Pritchard (28) | Craig (16) | Kornet (14)

There's 12 mins to be had! Joe can either stick with an 8-man (increase mins for main guys) or try out Scheierman as that 9th man.

[djFan71]

Kornet is still playable as long as it's with KP. There's less pressure on him to impact the offense, can just occupy a defender in the dunker spot while KP stays high. Defensively, they've been great together (haven't checked the numbers) per eye test. There's always someone protecting the paint when those two play together.

But if we're missing both Tatum and Holiday, Craig is playoff-battle-ready. He can play at 10-15 mins. Joe can just have a quicker hook than usual if it doesn't work. As much as Sam's improved with his individual defense, I think both Wagner and esp Banchero is a load for him. Without Holiday, Joe would have to be more creative with his defense on Paolo (though PP's done a good job whenever he gets switched on him -- not sure why Banchero keeps facing him up).

White (38) | Hauser (24) | Brown (38) | Horford (34) | Porzingis (36)
Pritchard (28) | Craig (16) | Kornet (14)

There's 12 mins to be had! Joe can either stick with an 8-man (increase mins for main guys) or try out Scheierman as that 9th man.

These are the scenarios where you wish he'd given Craig more game time if that is indeed the route he goes.

[ryan in Maine]

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I'm done with the Magic, I just decided that I'll be cocky... Bring out the brooms in Disney World.... C's in 4. Pozringod going for 30+ in game 3.

[Triple7]

I think Tatum with that wrist problem would do wonders for his shot. He will shoot better! Book it! If he can tolerate the pain, i think he will play. I’m rooting for him to get east mvp and finals mvp this year. You can’t win if you miss games. Plus JB showed up, JT needs a good game. Best time is to show up against a hostile crowd, and playing thru injury. Now that’s a story media likes.

[Fencer reregistered]

Tatum -- doubtful
Jrue -- questionable with a leg issue
Jaylen -- playing through a knee issue

And most of the Magic's offensive talent is in two tall forwards.

Could be interesting. And Pritchard defending Banchero/Wagner could be even more of a thing than it was last game.

[nohandles]

Celtics are going to need KP to remain healthy, second year in a row that Luke has been a massive disappointment in the postseason

You can't expect Kornet to guard a player like Paolo, which the Magic always try and get that match up. Like Paolo is a hard guy to guard no matter who is defending him. His size, speed, strength is a massive advantage. He's light LeBron lite in his early Miami days.