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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 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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Chicago Bulls Could Reportedly Release 14-Year NBA Veteran
Nikola Vucevic is coming off another season of strong production for the Chicago Bulls. He put up averages of 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest while shooting 53.0% from the field and 40.2% from the three-point range in 73 games. Vucevic has been mentioned in a lot of trade rumors over the previous few years. According to Jake Fischer (via Bleacher Report, h/t Yahoo Sports), the Bulls could buyout the two-time NBA All-Star. Fischer: "There hasn't been much of a market for Nikola Vucevic all along... I think that this juncture, we're probably more likely to see a Nikola Vucevic buyout mid-season than we are to see a trade." Vucevic was the 16th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of USC. He has also spent time with the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. His career averages are 17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest while shooting 49.7% from the field and 34.8% from the three-point range in 972 games. Via @EnjoyBBall: "The last 4 players to average 17+ PPG 10+ RPG with 900+ career games: •Nikola Vučević •Kevin Garnett •Tim Duncan •Shaquille O'Neal" The Bulls finished the 2024-25 season as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 39-43 record. They lost to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament, so they missed the NBA playoffs for the third straight season. Via @TheLeadSM: "Complete list of players to average 18+ PPG and 10+ RPG on 60%+ TS% last season: - Giannis - Jokic - Sabonis - KAT - Nikola Vucevic"
Green Bay Packers: 2x Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins Reveals True Feelings on Position Change, Contract Rumors
One of the biggest stories surrounding the Green Bay Packers this offseason has been the position change, and following absences, of two-time Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins. Early in the spring, it was quite clear that Green Bay had no intention of bringing back 2021 second round pick Josh Myers, who had been the Packers’ starting center since he was drafted. He ended up signing a one-year prove-it deal with the New York Jets. With Myers no longer in the fold, many wondered who the Packers would have play center. Zach Tom has long mentioned as a potential option there, as has second-year lineman Jacob Monk. But, to the shock of many, Green Bay opted to move Jenkins, who (as mentioned) is a two-time Pro Bowl left guard, to the position. They also signed Aaron Banks to a four-year $77 million contract to fill the hole left at left guard with Jenkins moving to center. It Was Reported that Green Bay Packers Star Elgton Jenkins Was Holding Out for a Revised Contract After the Packers announced that Jenkins was going to be moving to center while Banks would be entrenched at left guard, there were a series of reports that came out the two-time Pro Bowler was not happy. It was not that he minded the position switch. After all, he played center in college and filled in at the position in 2021 when Myers was out with an injury. Instead, these reports stated that Jenkins was concerned that the position switch would affect his earning capabilities in the NFL after his contract in Green Bay comes to an end. Centers do not make as much money as guards, and it was believed that Jenkins wanted some extra guarantees from the Packers in exchange for making the switch. And when Jenkins did not report to Green Bay for OTA’s and mandatory mini camp, fans began to worry that they had a real contract holdout on their hands. This was assumed to be the case, too, when Jenkins started training camp on the non-football injury list. Green Bay Packers Center Elgton Jenkins Shoots Down Contract Rumors As it turns out, though, none of these reports and rumors were true. Jenkins returned to practice on Tuesday, participating in individual drills only as he ramps up his activity. He had injured his back lifting weights during the offseason, which is why he started camp on the NFI. As for OTA’s, well, he had some family matters to attend to: As Ryan Wood notes, Jenkins spoke the Packers twice this offseason. The first time when they asked him about switching positions, and the second when he told them he would. What is more, per Wood, Jenkins has been planning a move to center for some time now: This is great news for Green Bay, who will be relying on Jenkins as their longest-tenured lineman, again, to lead the group tasked with protecting Jordan Love and opening holes for the run game.
Yankees Trade Hours Before Rays Game Draws Attention
The New York Yankees have been busy making moves as the trade deadline looms, and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon. Fresh off the addition of Ryan McMahon to bolster their lineup, the Yankees are shaking things up once again. This time, it’s not about who they’ve brought in, but rather who they’ve decided to part ways with, and it involves a familiar name who spent just a single season in pinstripes. Jack Curry reported on the trade on X saying, “The Yankees have traded Carlos Carrasco to the Braves for a PTBNL [player to be named later] or cash.” Given that the trade took place a few days before the deadline and just hours before a series opener at home against the division rival Tampa Bay Rays, fans had a lot to say. One fan said, "HAL WASNT LYING! THEYRE EXTREMELY ACTIVE." Another fan added, "CASH CONSIDERATIONS IS ON FIRE THIS TRADE DEADLINE!!!!" "CASHMAN YOU BEAST," said a fan. Another fan commented, "Gonna be the new Jessie Chavez" "Weird trade," said a fan not convinced with the move. Another fan said, "what does this look like? a NURSING HOME?! bffr." The Yankees picked up Carrasco on a minor-league deal back in February, and thanks to early injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil, he found himself in the Opening Day rotation. Unfortunately, things didn’t go smoothly. Carrasco struggled in his eight appearances (six starts) with New York, posting a 5.91 ERA and recording 25 strikeouts over 32 innings. He was designated for assignment on May 6 and sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre two days later. He got a brief recall on June 1 but was quickly designated again on June 3, staying in the organization since then. In Triple-A, though, he turned things around, putting up a solid 3.27 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) over 52 1/3 innings. While the Yankees are still in the hunt for veteran pitching, Carrasco wasn’t viewed as a big-league option for them. Instead, he now heads to Atlanta, where he’ll have a real shot at earning a rotation spot. Across his MLB career with the Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets and Yankees, Carrasco has a 4.18 ERA in 332 games (283 starts).
What I Saw At Raiders Training Camp: First Day in Pads
HENDERSON, Nev.—Day five of the Las Vegas Raiders' 2025 NFL Training Camp finally had the game being played like it should be: in pads! With a great crowd of fans, the Silver and Black were well-prepared for the physicality that defines this great game. As your Las Vegas Raiders Beat Writer On SI, I will share what stood out to me. Please note that I will be commenting on any specific information that could harm the Raiders strategically, should their opponents process it. For that reason, I will, in some cases, speak very generally. The Offense: Every day of this camp, I have told you about Aidan O’Connell’s new look and new release. Today was no exception; however, he played his best. · O’Connell threw with confidence; he sat in the pocket and let plays develop, and he was in command. He has his best day of camp yet, and to do that with pads says a lot. · Now, some will read into that that he isn’t QB1, but he is finding the right ingredients to grow into that role someday. More on O’Connell’s great day as we go on. · I have spoken so much about Geno Smith to Brock Bowers, and today is no exception. · His ball placement was terrific and hit Bowers with perfect strikes. · Speaking of Bowers, who is the second-best player on the field, he made a terrific play on Jeremy Chinn, who is an outstanding player, and got massive separation. · To be fair, with all the press and love Bowers gets and deserves, his speed is UNDERRATED. · Geno had one, and you could argue, two bad passes all day, but as usual, he has dozens on the money. · The second-string offensive line was significantly better today. They struggled with timing yesterday on one particular play, and I didn’t see that today. · Credit coaching and discipline. · If the season started today, TODAY, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and Dont’e Thornton would be your starting WRs. · That is NOT a slam on Jack Bech, it is a pat on the back to Thornton, who is playing very well. · Bech had a terrific red zone TD from Aidan O’Connell today as well. Another great pass by AOC, and a super catch by the rookie. · Rookie Caleb Rogers again keeps stacking plays. Sure, he is a rookie, but he is destined, I would suspect, in 2026 to be a starter, and the skill set is evident. · I like how the rookie works on preparation, is consistent, competes, and doesn’t repeat mistakes. · One of the most interesting plays today was with Geno Smith at QB and Phillip Dorsett at WR. Jaylon Smith was in coverage, and let me make this CLEAR: Smith had perfect coverage. Geno Smith threaded a needle and completed a pass to Dorsett. I felt bad for Smith, but that is what happens when your quarterback is a top-15 type guy. · Geno can make plays that aren’t there. · I have sung the praises of Ashton Jeanty, and deservedly so. · With that established, I know that I am shocked at his ability to catch the football as a receiver, and I know that he is even better than the Raiders thought he would be. · He is going to be very dangerous this season. Defense just can’t count on his running; now they have to fear him as a receiver. He will eat early, but once teams have to account for him, Jakobi Meyers, and Brock Bowers owe him a Prime Rib Dinner at Lawry’s. · There was one play, and I could write about 10, but one in particular in which Jeanty took off on a route, and beat Amari Gainer so bad, that the young LB grabbed his shirt and Jeanty drug him down the field on his route. · It was an obvious penalty that saved a TD, but it was also a statement by the young RB. · Speaking of a young RB making a statement, Dylan Laube had a good day today. He made a move on Michael Barrett and was gone. · It hasn’t been since last training camp that Laube turned the Jets on, but he did today, and I am certain Air Traffic Control at McCarran International Airport. I forgot how fast he was. · I know I have talked about him a lot, but another example of Dont’e Thornton. Geno Smith hit his hands with a perfect strike in congestion that he dropped. However, the rookie on the next play grabbed a grand ball. · He doesn’t repeat mistakes, which is big for a young pup trying to become a Dawg. · To me, the story of the day was that the offense won this practice. Defense wasn’t bad, but this offense is not what we are used to here in the desert. They didn’t look mediocre today. The Defense: · Maxx Crosby is a cyborg. · He plays the game at a level that only the elite Hall of Famers do, and enjoy while you have him, Raider Nation. He is a Michael Jordan, a Kobe Bryant; there will never be another Crosby. · DT Keondre Coburn is a young DT who you can see some little flashes from. Not big things, but little flashes, and he has to do more. But you can see why he is here. · Decamerion Richardson continues to stack good days. He got a beautiful pick off of Geno Smith in the red zone today. · Was he perfect? Of course not, but he is playing like a CB1, and that is encouraging. · Darien Porter, the rookie CB, did a lot of good today. He dropped an INT that he simply should have had. It is plays like that that separate the young guys from vets, and I know he would love to have that back. · I thought DT Tank Booker looked the best today that he has looked. He is a rook, so don’t run with that and assume he’s a starter; he isn’t right now, but it was his best day, and he deserves some respect. · Germaine Pratt made his presence known today for the first time. I was impressed with his quick thinking and was mildly shocked by his reflexes. · Tommy “Freaking” Eichenberg continues to get some reps with the one. Not all, but “Freaking” is pushing and putting some good reps on tape. · The confidence of Malcolm Koonce is very evident. He is playing well and feels well. He has NEVER been arrogant. · But an absence of arrogance doesn’t mean a lack of confidence, so it is great to see him playing to the standard of his pre-injury. · It is no secret that I like the skill set of S Tre Taylor. Today, in passing situations, I thought he looked terrific. · It was the first time in this camp he has stood out, and what a way to do it, on the first day of pads. · Jeremy Chinn does so much well, but today he went up for the ball and “High Pointed” it. · If you are unfamiliar with that term, it is when the ball is in the air, whoever can get it at the highest point, is the one who usually has success. · It is no secret I am a buyer on Chinn, but I had zero clue that he had the leaping ability like that. · Speaking of athletics, LB Jaylon Smith looked like he was running forward today while backpedaling. He flipped his hips and started going backwards and didn’t lose a step. It was impressive. · It has been a long time waiting for this, but S Chris Smith was giving maximum effort today. I loved him coming out of UGA, but today he looked like that guy. · This Jamal Adams as LB experiment is shaping up to make Pete Carroll look smart. · He is without a doubt the best coverage linebacker on the Silver and Black roster, and while NO ONE can cover Brock Bowers from the LB spot, and I mean no one in the NFL, Adams made him work for it. · Every single day, Adams has impressed, in what is shaping up to be a better LB room on the field than it looked on paper. · Twice today, Adams had a WOWZA-type play. A play that superstars make, and while not perfect, he is imposing. The Intangibles: · The offense had two penalties today, the defense had two, and there was one on special teams. · Approximately 1,400 of the Raider Nation faithful were at camp today. It is free, and I highly recommend that you all try to make it out. · Zach Longenecker is the head groundskeeper for the Raiders. He is not good at his job; he is phenomenal, and what he does in this field, in the desert, is nothing short of a Maxx Crosby effort. · The only thing that is a knock on Longenecker is that he is a Nittany Lion. Boo….Go Green! We'd appreciate it if you would follow us on X @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr , and let’s talk about the Silver and Black’s training camp and the emerging offense.
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