With most of their regular rotation resting, the Boston Celtics still found enough firepower Sunday night to defeat the Orlando Magic 113–108 behind a breakout performance from their reserves, sending Orlando into a road play-in matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Rookie sharpshooter Baylor Scheierman erupted for a career high 30 points, while Luka Garza added 27 points and 12 rebounds, including a clutch go ahead 3-pointer with 31.6 seconds remaining. Ron Harper Jr. matched Garza’s scoring output with a career-best 27 points as Boston’s second unit carried the load in a statement victory.
Despite sitting eight regular rotation players including stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown—the Celtics showcased their depth and resilience. Boston, which spent much of the season without Tatum while he recovered from Achilles tendon surgery, still exceeded expectations by finishing 56–26 and securing the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed.
Orlando entered the night riding a five-game winning streak and in position to secure a home play-in game as the East’s No. 7 seed. Instead, the loss dropped the Magic to 45–37 and into the No. 8 spot, setting up a road play-in clash in Philadelphia.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with a triple-double performance 23 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds while Jalen Suggs added 23 points, including a dramatic right-wing 3-pointer that tied the game late in the fourth quarter.
The Magic appeared in control early in the final period, but Boston’s bench kept pushing back. Orlando trimmed a 16-point deficit to five on Banchero’s layup with under four minutes remaining, then tied the game moments later on Suggs’ clutch triple.
However, Garza answered immediately, catching an in-bounds pass and calmly drilling the decisive 3-pointer to put Boston back in front for good.
Boston’s reserves seized control during a dominant third quarter, outscoring Orlando 42–20. The Celtics knocked down 9 of 16 shots from beyond the arc in the period, including two quick 3-pointers from Scheierman during a blistering 12–2 run that swung momentum decisively.
After trailing by double digits midway through the second quarter, Boston suddenly found itself ahead 94–81 entering the fourth thanks largely to the shooting barrage from Scheierman and Harper.
Orlando briefly threatened a comeback late after Wendell Carter Jr. cut the deficit to 108–105 with a free throw, but Garza’s late heroics sealed the outcome.
The Magic now travel to Philadelphia for a high-stakes play-in matchup with the No. 7 seed on the line a game that will determine whether Orlando advances directly into the Eastern Conference playoff bracket or faces a second elimination test.
Meanwhile, Boston heads into the postseason with momentum—and proof that its depth could become a major factor as the Celtics await their first-round opponent.
