For the first time in his NBA career, Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum watched a playoff game in street clothes. But with their top scorer sidelined due to a wrist injury, Jaylen Brown rose to the occasion—loudly and emphatically.
Brown exploded for 36 points to lead the Celtics to a 109-100 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at TD Garden. As he roared after a thunderous dunk, Orlando forward Paolo Banchero could only turn away, with Tatum cheering from the bench.
Brown delivered a masterclass in Tatum’s absence, shooting a red-hot 12-of-19 from the field, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and 7-of-8 at the free-throw line. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, handed out five assists, and tallied a block in the win—reminding everyone why he’s an All-Star in his own right.
“Obviously, JT is our offensive leader,” Brown told ClutchPoints’ Daniel Donabedian after the game. “But on any given night, I can rise to the occasion. I just do what the team needs me to do. That’s the mentality I’ve taken, even if people think that’s all I can do. Tonight, I got lucky, I guess.”
It wasn’t a one-man show. The Celtics had five players score in double figures, including Kristaps Porzingis with 20 points, Derrick White with 17, Jrue Holiday adding 11, and Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard chipping in 14 off the bench.
Despite shooting a solid 47.6% from the floor, the Magic couldn’t keep up in the second half. The Celtics outscored them 31-24 in the third quarter and never looked back. Orlando’s Paolo Banchero had a strong night with 32 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks. Franz Wagner added 25 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. and Anthony Black contributed 17 and 11, respectively.
Looking ahead to Games 3 and 4 in Orlando, Brown isn’t underestimating his opponents.
“They’re a good young team,” he said in a walk-off interview with TNT’s Stephanie Ready. “We’ve got to take better care of the ball. We know they’re not going to back down. We just have to keep playing our brand of basketball and let the results speak for themselves.”
Game 3 tips off Friday at the Kia Center, with Boston aiming to keep their momentum going—and Orlando fighting to keep their season alive.
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