On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
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
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Warriors-Suns Jonathan Kuminga Trade Update Emerges After $90 Million Offer
The Golden State Warriors remain in a stalemate with Jonathan Kuminga. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors can match any offer sheet a team signs him to. However, that hasn't stopped teams from trying to acquire Kuminga. Among the teams that have pushed hard for Kuminga are the Phoenix Suns. ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported on Wednesday that the Suns have tried to acquire Kuminga. In fact, they have made "the most lucrative push via sign-and-trade" for Kuminga. The Suns can acquire players via sign-and-trade after waiving and stretching the last two years of Bradley Beal's contract. Doing so got them under the NBA's first tax apron, which permits them to do so. However, completing a sign-and-trade requires a willing trade partner to make it happen. While the Suns remain interested in Kuminga, pulling off a trade will be tricky for them because the Warriors aren't interested in what the Suns have offered for him. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported that sign-and-trade talks have gone nowhere because the Warriors don't want what the Suns are offering. "Per team sources, the talks between the Suns and Warriors have never progressed in any serious manner," Amick wrote. "So while it’s certainly notable that Phoenix is being so aggressive with its contract offer — four years and a combined $90 million, per ESPN — that part is irrelevant so long as Golden State continues to show zero interest in what the Suns have to offer." The Warriors have all the leverage because, with Kuminga as a restricted free agent, they don't have to agree to a sign-and-trade with the Suns or anyone else if the offer holds little appeal to them.
Erik Karlsson's Trade Demands to the Penguins Release Publicly
Erik Karlsson is one of a few Penguins likely on the move soon, and now the one thing the veteran blue liner wants in a new team has been officially revealed. After missing the Stanley cup Playoffs for three straight seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins come into this off-season as sellers, with the trio of Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust and Erik Karlsson becoming notable names in trade speculation. While all three have a high likelihood of being moved as Kyle Dubas and the Penguins look towards the future, NHL Insider Frank Seravalli has suggested this off-season that Karlsson is the most likely of all to be moved in the summer. Now, Seravalli has followed up on the speculation, revealing another key piece of this scenario, as the veteran NHL Insider notes the one demand that Karlsson has in potential trade talks. According to Seravalli, Karlsson wants a chance to win, and given the contract that a team would potentially need to take on to bring him in, it's safe to say that only contending teams out there would be interested, with very little in it for teams that won't be chasing a Stanley Cup in the near future. As of right now, there are very few teams around the NHL that could fit Karlsson in as well as giving him the opportunity to win, with Detroit, Dallas and Carolina three teams that fit the bill, with all three having rumoured interest in an upgrade on their blue line. Ultimately, all the signs this off-season point to Karlsson being moved at some point before the 2025/26 campaign begins, and while the options are limited given his contract and his desire to win, there's no reason why a trade can't be made in the next few months.
Robertson, Leafs Set for Unnecessary Arbitration Battle Over $1M
With most NHL arbitration cases settling before reaching a hearing, the standoff between Nicholas Robertson and the Toronto Maple Leafs is out of the norm this summer. The two sides remain apart ahead of their scheduled arbitration hearing Sunday, with the Leafs filing at $1.2 million and Robertson seeking $2.25 million—a significant $1.05 million gap that doesn’t seem sufficient to warrant the drama that could result from a hearing. The midpoint sits at $1.725 million, and based on comparable contracts, that figure may offer a reasonable benchmark for a potential award. Last season, Robertson scored 15 goals in 69 games, ranking seventh on the Leafs, but added just seven assists. Despite seeing more ice time, his overall point pace dropped. Still, his physical game improved, logging a career-high 79 hits. Because Robertson filed, the Leafs get to choose a one- or two-year term if it goes to a ruling. A one-year deal would keep options open, particularly if the team still views him as a trade candidate. The Maple Leafs Shouldn’t Let It Get to a Hearing This is not the same as the situation that unfolded between the Winnipeg Jets and Dylan Samberg. The Jets filed at $2.5M for the player, while he asked for $6 million. Eventually, the settlement came in at three years by $5.8 million. The financial gap in this case hardly seems large enough to justify the risks of arbitration. A ruling slightly above the midpoint—say, in the $1.9 million range—wouldn’t cripple the Leafs’ cap situation but could hurt (or worsen) their relationship with a still-developing 23-year-old. Hearings often involve teams pointing out a player’s flaws to argue against higher pay, something that can damage trust and morale, especially with a young forward trying to carve out a bigger role. A modest compromise now would avoid long-term strain. And, the Leafs should have no issues trading Robertson at anything below $2.25 million in a rising salary cap environment. Keep in mind, it won’t cost the Leafs that much to retain him. Given the stakes, it’s a bit surprising this hasn’t been settled already. Unless there’s a last-minute agreement, this could be one of the rare arbitration cases that actually goes the distance. It’s not clear why the Leafs are letting things get so close with a winger who could be useful, but has already felt disrespected by the organization on more than one occasion.
Packers’ Unheralded Rookie Surging Up Depth Chart, Pushing for First-Team Reps
As the Packers look for answers to an underwhelming and underachieving pass rush, an unheralded rookie might be about to carve out a role for himself. Former university of Georgia standout, and Packers undrafted rookie free agent, Nazir Stackhouse is putting together a dominant start to training camp, and even head coach Matt LaFleur is taking notice. Packers’ Matt LaFleur Bullish on Nazir Stackhouse Stackhouse, 6-foot-4 and 326 pounds, might not just be in the mix to win a roster spot this summer but if his strong play continues throughout training camp and the preseason, he could find himself as one of the Packers’ starting defensive ends when the regular season kicks off in September. “He’s earning more and more opportunities. I think at some point, we’re going to have to see him get in there versus our [No. 1 offense],” said head coach Matt LaFleur. A three year starter at the University of Georgia, Stackhouse finished his five-year collegiate career with three sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 96 total tackles but has been a dominant force this spring and summer since landing with the Packers. Green Bay has built an ascending young roster with quality star power across the depth chart, but edge rusher may be one of the Packers’ remaining weaknesses. If Stackhouse continues on this trajectory, he might just be the next young player to emerge with a vital role in 2025. Follow Matt Lombardo on Threads at @MattLombardoNFL. To read more of our articles and in-depth NFL coverage, click here.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
