Last season’s NBA MVP, Jaylen Brown, had another great game, scoring 35 points against the Orlando Magic. But even with his big effort, the Boston Celtics couldn’t get the win on Monday night. The Celtics lost 108-104 in a close game after the Magic came back from being 15 points behind at halftime.
The Celtics struggled without their star player, Jayson Tatum, who missed the game due to illness. Jaylen Brown stepped up, leading the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals. He scored 35 points, marking his fourth 30-point game this season.
MAGIC WIN! The injury-riddled Orlando Magic beat the reigning champion Boston Celtics, 108-104! 💪🪄
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) December 24, 2024
Tristan da Silva: 18 PTS, 6/11 FGM, 4/8 3PM, dagger three
Jaylen Brown: 35 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 15/29 FGM
Jayson Tatum: DNP (sickness)
Orlando fights EVERY GAME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/9syrv74TKV
The Celtics started strong, leading 58-43 at halftime. But the Magic turned things around in the second half, with Tristan da Silva hitting a crucial 3-pointer with 9.9 seconds left to secure the win. Brown noted it was a physical game and found it odd that he only got six free throws.
Jaylen Brown shares thoughts on the game’s physicality
The game was very close and physical, and Jaylen Brown talked about it after the match in a post-game interview. He said his team should have played a bit tougher, which might have helped them win.
Brown told reporters, “Definitely a physical game. Give credit to Orlando. We should have met the physicality a little bit better. I think it’s a good preparation game. Things wasn’t going our way.”
Even Jaylen Brown just calling out the refs and believes his whistle has been cut off lately; it's not just us fans who see it. For whatever reason, they are letting teams get physical with Boston and not allowing the same level of defense to be played. pic.twitter.com/i7G5BWcyjV
— CELTICS ☘️ BANNER 19 (@BiggLynch) December 24, 2024
He added, “We felt officials was one-sided. I think it was good for us. I think we need to see that more and get used to that more. Get more comfortable with that level of environment.”
