Wednesday marks Game 2 of the Boston Celtics' first-round playoff series with the Orlando Magic, giving the defending NBA Champions the perfect opportunity to take a 2-0 series lead.
As good as Joe Mazzulla's team is, though, the Celtics' outlook will hinge on Jayson Tatum's health. The multi-time NBA All-Star took a hard fall when he was fouled by Magic wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during Game 1's fourth quarter, leaving Tatum day-to-day with a wrist injury that left him doubtful heading into Game 2.
The incident forced Celtics leader Al Horford to call out Caldwell-Pope, accusing the Magic veteran of going after Tatum multiple times throughout the night.
On Wednesday, Magic players finally commented on Tatum's injury situation. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like they regret what happened to the Boston superstar.
Celtics News: Magic Show No Remorse Regarding Jayson Tatum Injury Before Game 2
When asked about Horford's reaction to Caldwell-Pope's flagrant foul, Magic guard Cole Anthony told reporters that he "really don't care" about the situation and that he's relishing in upsetting the Celtics.
"At the end of the day, if anything, I look at it like a positive because now we've got (the Celtics) complaining," Anthony told Orlando Sports' Jason Beede, adding that the Magic won't be altering their physical approach. "We all play this game the right way. We're going to keep mucking it up. You're just giving us good feedback."
“That stuff really means nothing to me,” #Magic’s Cole Anthony told me and @mvsonwilliams about Al Horford’s comments about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s foul on Jayson Tatum. “At the end of the day, if anything, I look at it like a positive because now we’ve got them complaining.” pic.twitter.com/Dz9d13Rr6e
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) April 23, 2025
Caldwell-Pope was also asked about the incident during Wednesday morning's shootaround, specifically if he had heard Horford's comments. The two-time NBA Champion said that he didn't hear what the Celtics fan-favorite had to say, nor does he plan on changing how he plays despite Tatum's injury.
"A hard foul is a hard foul. I really don't care what anybody says," Caldwell-Pope told reporters (h/t @CelticsCLNS). "I'm still gonna play how I play, how I'm supposed to play for my team."
As disappointing as the lack of remorse is, it isn't surprising. The Magic are one of the NBA's least-disciplined teams, having fouled on 18.5% of defensive possessions (2nd-most) while averaging the fifth-most personal fouls overall.
Hopefully, Tatum's wrist injury doesn't worsen so that he can remain a focal point on the Celtics' postseason run. The former Duke Blue Devil made a positive impact despite finishing Game 1 banged up, scoring 17 points while adding 14 rebounds, four assists, one block, and a steal without a turnover.
In the meantime, the best way to get revenge against the Magic would be to crush them in Game 2. Fortunately, all signs point to that happening as the Celtics are currently 10.5-point favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook just over three hours away from Wednesday's tip-off.
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