The Boston Celtics faced a crushing defeat on Friday night, stumbling against the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of their playoff series. After trailing by 12 points early in the fourth quarter, the Celtics struggled offensively, managing a mere 15 points in the first 17 minutes of the second half, largely due to a barrage of turnovers and an unyielding Magic defense.

Just when it seemed all hope was lost, the Celtics rallied with a remarkable 17-5 run, tying the game at 91-91 with just over two minutes left. However, they fell short, unable to complete the comeback in a nail-biting 95-93 defeat.

The loss was Boston's first playoff defeat of 2025 and stemmed from multiple factors. The absence of star player Jrue Holiday was felt deeply, as the Celtics' supporting cast failed to step up when it mattered most. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown fumbled the ball away, and the bench provided little to no help, save for a few contributions from Luke Kornet. Kristaps Porzingis endured a particularly rough outing.

Despite these challenges, Boston had every opportunity to seize the victory or at least force overtime. Coach Joe Mazzulla's conservative choices during critical moments ultimately hindered the Celtics' chances for a comeback.

Where Was Jaylen Brown When It Mattered?

In a surprising strategic move, Mazzulla pulled Brown after he picked up his fifth foul with just over four minutes to go. Instead of inserting his All-Star back into the fray, Mazzulla kept him on the bench until only 48 seconds remained in a tense game, leaving the Celtics at a disadvantage.

Mazzulla defended his decision, claiming he was waiting for the optimal moment to bring Brown back. However, Brown had been far more effective than Porzingis that night, despite struggling with turnovers. With Boston’s offense sputtering, this was a critical moment where getting Brown back into the game was imperative.

Why Kristaps Porzingis Was the Wrong Choice in Crunch Time

Porzingis' performance—posting a shocking minus-16 for the game—should have signaled the need for a shake-up. Instead, Mazzulla kept him on the court, allowing the Magic to target him in late-game isolation plays, which allowed Franz Wagner to exploit Porzingis for pivotal baskets.

Given Porzingis’ poor offensive showing—hitting just 3-of-10 shots—it was perplexing to see him remain on the floor during such a crucial stretch.

Late-Game Management Mishaps

Late in the game, a challenging call cost Boston not only a crucial timeout but also granted possession to the Magic instead of creating a jump ball scenario. In those final seconds of a tight contest, every decision becomes magnified, and Mazzulla's miscalculation proved costly.

With only one timeout remaining, the Celtics missed a key opportunity to foul and extend the game, banking on the chance that Orlando could miss crucial free throws. Instead, they found themselves scrambling for a last-second shot after a challenging rebound put even more pressure on their already strained lineup.

Looking Ahead

While this Game 3 loss may not define the Celtics’ playoff run, it raises questions about Mazzulla's decision-making during high-stakes moments. As the series continues, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how he adjusts his strategies.

With Game 4 on the horizon, the Celtics will need to regroup and take a more aggressive approach to avoid falling into a deeper hole against the Magic.