Being without a player of the caliber of Jayson Tatum would create a problem for most teams, but the Boston Celtics proved why they are the defending champions by taking care of business as Tatum missed a playoff game for the first time in his career.
With Tatum in street clothes, the Celtics defeated the Magic, 109-100, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their first round series.
Tatum, who produced a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds in Boston's game 1 win, was ruled out with a bone bruise in his right wrist.
But no fear, Jaylen Brown was there to save the day. In Tatum's absence, Brown stepped up.
Brown, no stranger to monster playoff performances — he was named MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals and then NBA Finals MVP when the Celtics won the championship last year, scored 36 points in 40 minutes while adding 10 boards and five assists.
“He came in saying he was going to do everything it takes to win,” said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla about what Brown told him before the game once they learned Tatum wouldn't be able to play.
Brown's big game came after he registered just 16 points in Game 1, as he made sure to double his production with his co-star out of the lineup.
Boston's depth beyond Brown was also on display as well. Kristaps Porzingis was at his best, increasing his scoring from just five points on Sunday to 20 on Wednesday night. Joining the double-double party, he also brought in 10 rebounds.
Derrick White scored 17, Jrue Holiday had 11 and even Payton Pritchard pitched in by putting 14 on the scoreboard from the bench.
Even though the series will now shift to Orlando, the Celtics don't have to worry about rushing Tatum back.
Game 3 is scheduled to tip-off from the Kia Center on Friday at 7 pm ET.
