Playoff basketball brings out a different type of energy and intensity than we’re used to seeing in the regular season. This is especially true in this first-round series between the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic.
Both teams have continued to play physical basketball in this series, as both teams finished in the top four in defensive rating. This was showcased in Game One, when Jayson Tatum went for a dunk and met two Magic players at the rim. He took a hard crash to the ground, injuring his right wrist, forcing him to miss Game Two.
Physical play continued into Game Two as Kristaps Porzingis took an inadvertent elbow to the forehead and immediately started gushing blood. The blow required him to miss some time as he had to get five stitches, but Porzingis would re-enter the game, rocking a smile and bandage on the injury while blood stains remained on his head.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had yet another odd comment on the injury, where he seemed to enjoy Porzingis bleeding on the court.
Mazzulla Enjoyed Porzingis Bleeding on Court
After the Celtics' 109-100 win over the Magic, Mazzulla was asked about Porzingis in a post-game press conference, where he said he liked seeing him bleed on the court.
"I like watching him bleed on the court. I think it's important."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 24, 2025
—Joe Mazzulla on Kristaps Porzingis after Game 2 😅 pic.twitter.com/D2QhYFc28g
Mazzulla, being the UFC fan he is, had a different response to Porzingis bleeding than we’re used to hearing from NBA coaches, but this is the kind of guy Mazzulla is. He believes that Porzingis's coming back from the injury shows how resilient and tough a player he is.
In a series that has been very physical and that has led to some confrontations, Porzingis has held his composure and fought through adversity. Without Tatum, he helped lead the Celtics to a 2-0 lead over the Magic, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Magic have been trying to get the Celtics off their game mentally, and the players have responded to it well. Mazzulla’s comments give an insight into his expectations for his players in the playoffs: play hard and don’t back down.
The Celtics will look to continue this in Game Three, which will take place in Orlando on Friday.