By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dealing with adversity, the Boston Celtics beat the Orlando Magic, 109-100, and opened a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series.
In addition to Jayson Tatum being ruled out for Game 2 of the opening round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google, Kristaps Porzingis needed five stitches on his forehead after an elbow from Goga Bitadze.
“I saw the amount of blood as soon as I looked at my hand. So, I knew it was going to be some stitches for sure,” he described his initial reaction and went into a loud ovation from the fans in TD Garden, “I love my WWE moments for sure. It just happens in a game. You know me, I always love it, engaging with the crowd. I already knew, like getting hit again, blood again, the crowd would just go with it. It was cool. It was fun.”
Brutal Bitadge vs Porzingis pic.twitter.com/AJe7NrooYz
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The 29-year-old Latvian import of the C’s soon returned to the floor and lasted nearly 34 minutes. Behind 5/14 field goals, including 0/5 from beyond the arc, he posted a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double plus two blocks and two steals.
“How can I not come out? Like, ‘I have five stitches, I can’t play anymore’. No. My legs work. Everything works. Of course, I’m going to be out there,” he added during a postgame press conference following a winning effort on Wednesday.
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series will be played in Orlando’s Kia Center on Friday.
“A little bit similar to the last game, I thought, in terms of us struggling in the third a little bit. I think the biggest thing was 13 offensive rebounds for them. A team this good, you can’t give them second-chance opportunities,” mentioned German Franz Wagner, after putting up 25 points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals for the Magic in Game 2.
Georgian Bitadze recorded two points, three rebounds, one block, and one assist in seven minutes. German Tristan da Silva stayed on the bench, and German Moritz Wagner (left knee surgery) remained sidelined.
Portuguese Neemias Queta did not play for the team coached by Joe Mazzulla.