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Jayson Tatum's historic game helps send Celtics to Eastern Conference semis
The Boston Celtics are in the second round of the playoffs. After a 120-89 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, Boston is moving onto the Eastern Conference semifinals for the eighth time in nine seasons.
While the Celtics made quick work of the Magic in five games, Orlando put up a strong fight, as the Paolo Banchero-led squad held up on defense and bogged the Celtics down into low-scoring games. After averaging 120.6 points per game in the regular season, the Magic held the Celtics to 103 per contest in this series.
Game 5 was much like the previous contests in this series, with the Magic holding their own on defense but contributing very little on the offensive end. Orlando's defense held up in the first half, but Boston caught fire in the latter half of the game. The Celtics missed their first seven attempts form three-point range but proceeded to go 13-of-17 for the rest of the game.
Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 35 points, to go along with a near-triple-double of 10 assists and eight rebounds. This marked his third consecutive game putting up at least 35 points, joining Larry Bird as the only Celtics to do this in the playoffs. In Tatum's three games since returning from a wrist injury he suffered in Game 1, the Celtics star has averaged 36/10.3/5.7 all while shooting 44% from three-point range.
TATUM TWO-HAND HAMMER TO END THE HALF
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2025
Magic/Celtics on NBA TV | BOS leads 3-1 pic.twitter.com/26Iwn1ztiT
Orlando couldn't keep up with the Celtics' high-flying offense. This year's Magic team ranked dead-last in the NBA in three point percentage (31.8%) and three-point makes (921). Once the Celtics built up a big lead, there was nothing the Magic could do to come back.
It was a rough night for Orlando's young star, Banchero. The 22-year-old was inefficient from the floor, shooting 6-of-15, and picked up his fifth foul in the middle of the third quarter. Once Banchero was forced out of the game, the Celtics went on a run and never relinquished the lead.
Joe Mazzulla mentioned that the Magic changed their coverage when Paolo Banchero took a seat with 5 fouls but also highlighted the #Celtics didn’t turn the ball over in the second half. pic.twitter.com/HZovX9QPtQ
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) April 30, 2025
The Celtics can rest up and get healthier, now waiting to play the winner of the Pistons-Knicks series as they continue their pursuit of winning back-to-back championships.
More must-reads:
- Celtics advance with dominant second half against Magic
- Pistons' Cade Cunningham comes alive in fourth quarter to stave off elimination vs. Knicks
- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
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The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
Chris Paul said earlier this offseason that he expects the 2025-26 season to be his last – now we know where he’ll spend it. Paul, who will become just the seventh player in NBA history to play in 21 seasons, is heading back to the Los Angeles Clippers to play a “reserve” role on a veteran-laden team. While CP3 is undoubtedly an individually decorated point guard and a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer, he’s played in just one NBA Finals in his career and is yet to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy. He’ll take his final shot with a Clippers squad that held onto James Harden (35) and Kawhi Leonard (34) while adding Brook Lopez (37) and Bradley Beal (32) along with Paul (40). Which brings us to today’s quiz. Even at 39 years old for most of the 2024-25 season, Paul still started all 82 games in his lone season with the San Antonio Spurs. With that being said, can you name the players to play in the most games in NBA history? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Maple Leafs continue to play moneyball: Three big names in play
With Mitch Marner’s move to the Vegas Golden Knights closing a major chapter in Toronto, GM Brad Treliving made a series of moves to replace his production. He might not be done. Three may be even bolder moves on the horizon. We’ve heard the names Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf before. However, the Maple Leafs are actively fielding and exploring trade scenarios as they look to reshape their roster — and according to Nick Kypreos, a handful of intriguing names are emerging in trade chatter: Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and former Leafs fan-favorite Nazem Kadri. The most surprising name still generating buzz is Rielly. Despite being a longtime cornerstone on Toronto’s blue line, his $7.5 million cap hit and no-move clause complicate matters. Yet with the team needing help up front, and possible interest in offensive defensemen like Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Rielly could become part of a larger plan if he’s open to waiving. Also surprising is the talk surrounding Carlo. A recent addition to the Leafs’ defense corps, he is already being talked about behind the scenes as a potential trade piece. If he were made available, there is interest around the league, as the 6-foot-6 shutdown defender has a team-friendly cap hit and strong penalty-killing ability. Trading Carlo could get the Leafs a top-six forward. Finally, reports on the availability of Kadri remain conflicting. Some say he’s not available, while others suggest that the Calgary Flames would consider the idea. The former Maple Leaf would be a welcome addition back to Toronto, but there isn’t much of a reason for the Flames to trade him unless the return is outstanding. Kadri reportedly would consider waiving his no-move clause for a reunion. That said, getting a deal done won’t be easy, especially with Montreal also rumored to be on his short list. Whether any of these deals come to pass or are just pure speculation, one thing’s sure: the Maple Leafs aren’t standing still. Treliving is trying to get his roster to score more goals. He seems willing to entertain any idea and play Moneyball with the roster if it will help.
One Specific Canadian Team Remains in Advanced Talks For Top Remaining Free Agent
The Vancouver Canucks have a major need down the middle this season, and according to Rick Dhaliwal, the team remain in contact with the top remaining free agent. Free agency in the NHL this off-season came and went fairly quickly, and while most of the big names are off the board, there are still some intriguing names remaining to all 32 teams. Perhaps the biggest of those names is former Carolina Hurricanes centre Jack Roslovic, and according to Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, he remains in contact with the Vancouver Canucks as training camp approaches. It's unclear just how close the two parties could potentially be getting to a deal, but according to Cam Robinson, the players camp is looking for a multi-year deal with an asking price at just over $3 million per season. Given that the Canucks currently have Aatu Raty slated to play the third line this season, they have a clear need down the middle, and after tallying 22 goals and 39 points a season ago in a similar role with Carolina, he'd be the perfect addition for their middle-six. At 28-years of age with over 500 NHL games under his belt thus far, Roslovic fits the age range for what the Canucks should be seeking as well, and if they're willing to meet his price, there's no reason for a deal not to get done here. Ultimately, Roslovic is the top remaining centre in free agency, so any team out there looking for help could fit him in at 2-3 years for a $3 million salary cap hit, but as of right now, all signs point to him playing a key role with Vancouver in 2025/26.
Steelers' Omar Khan Claims Pittsburgh May Now Add At Safety Via Free Agency Or Trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely have one of the better defensive units in all of football to kickoff the 2025 NFL season. After an offseason that featured multiple key moves on both sides of the ball, Pittsburgh finds themselves with significant upgrades in the secondary. The Steelers acquired superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for veteran free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, as Ramsey is expected to play a crucial role on the Steelers' defense this season. Many feel as if the Steelers are still lacking depth at safety, as Fitzpatrick was expected to be the starting free safety entering 2025. Juan Thornhill may emerge as a legitimate starting option, as the former Cleveland Browns defensive back will look to make a strong impact throughout training camp. Thornhill has been plagued with injuries over the course of the past two seasons, as the veteran will look to get back to playing at a high level once again this season in Pittsburgh. As speculation continues to surround the Steelers' depth at safety, General Manager Omar Khan took a moment to speak with the media on Wednesday regarding the position. "We signed Juan, that's not to say that we won't look at what else is out there," Khan stated. Khan then went on to speak about Pittsburgh's plan throughout training camp, as the team is expected to take their time in evaluating the depth on the roster. "Part of training camp is for us to figure out and get to know what we have and see how those rules are going to come together," Khan continued. Khan's comments should not be considered as surprising by many, as Thornhill's decline and injury history over the past few seasons may result in the veteran being a questionable starting option. Thornhill thrived during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, as the veteran played a key role in two of the Chiefs' Super Bowl runs from past seasons. Thornhill remains as a starting option at safety for the time being, as many feel like Pittsburgh will add depth at the position in the near future. Ramsey continues to emerge as a starting option at safety as well, as the veteran cornerback has been rumored to take snaps at free safety throughout training camp. Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is an elite cornerback who is widely regarded as one of the better defensive players in all of football. Ramsey may be faced with a major role off the field as well, as the veteran is expected to be an excellent mentor for younger defensive backs in the Steelers' secondary. Other Steelers Veterans Expected To Play An Additional Off Field Role With training camp officially underway, the Steelers will have a better understanding as to where the depth on the defense stands in the near future. Multiple veterans are expected to pick up where they left off in 2024, as superstar defensive lineman Cam Heyward will look to add to an already impressive resume throughout 2025. Also a seven-time Pro Bowler, Heyward has been a crucial piece on the Steelers' defensive line throughout his entire career. Heyward could play a key role off the field as well, as the veteran is expected to aid rookie Derrick Harmon in his development throughout the season. Harmon, a first-round selection out of Oregon, is a talented defensive lineman who was widely considered as one of the top defensive talents from the 2024 class. Harmon's potential is limitless, as playing alongside Heyward will almost certainly make the rookie a better player over time. As questions surrounding the Steelers' depth at safety remain at large, the team is expected to evaluate the talent at the position throughout training camp. Thornhill remains as a solid starting option, but injuries over the past few seasons suggest otherwise. With opening week continuing to grow closer, the team is expected to have a better understanding of where they stand at the position sooner rather than later.
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