The Boston Celtics found themselves trailing the Orlando Magic by one point at the halftime break of Game 1 of their best-of-seven series, but there was no doubt who the superior team was by the time the full 48 minutes were said and done, as the defending champions topped Orlando 103-86 on Sunday afternoon.
Given the fact that the Celtics were double-digit favorites entering the matchup, the outcome isn't overly surprising. What was without question more dire of a concern for Boston fans coming out of the win were updates on Boston's best players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and their respective health situations moving forward.
Tatum's injury concerns began following a hard foul taken by the Celtics star during the fourth quarter. The former Duke University standout took a nasty spill following contact with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, which was ultimately upgraded to a Flagrant 1 penalty, but he remained in the game despite visible discomfort in his wrist.
While it certainly looked like a painful landing for Tatum, the veteran shot down any concerns regarding his wrist during his postgame media availability.
"It's all right," Tatum said following the win, per Baxter Holmes of ESPN. "Just fell on it, landed on it."
Tatum added, "It was throbbing for a second. Kind of went away."
Tatum's injury concerns may have been new ones for Boston and its fans, but the knee issues Jaylen Brown has been working to overcome have been lingering for quite a bit now. After missing the bulk of the final few weeks of the regular season, Brown returned to the lineup in Game 1 and felt good about where things stand with regard to his knee following the win.
"I felt good today," Brown said, per ESPN. "To start the game, it took me a little bit to get into the game. I feel like I was watching a little bit to start. Second half, I was able to get more involved, make some plays, have some better activities."
It goes without saying that team outcomes are all that matter at this stage of the season but efficiency will need to be the name of the game for the Celtics' star duo moving forward as Boston will need for them to do produce quality shots and convert them at a higher level than we saw in Game 1.
With Game 2 scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at the friendly confines of TD Garden on Wednesday night, both Tatum and Brown should have ample opportunity to rest and heal up a bit before the Celtics take the floor again to defend their home court.