On a night when the Boston Celtics could have simply coasted into the postseason, an undermanned roster delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come. With just eight players suiting up—many of them on two-way contracts or recently signed—the Celtics stunned the Orlando Magic 113-108 at TD Garden on April 12, 2026, closing out their regular season in thrilling fashion.
It was a game that had every reason to be a footnote. The Celtics, already locked into the No. 2 seed for the NBA Playoffs, rested key starters including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Nikola Vucevic, and Hugo Gonzalez. Yet, the remaining group—Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Luka Garza, Dalano Banton, John Tonje, and Amari Williams—showed what Celtics basketball is all about: pride, resilience, and a refusal to back down.
The Magic, still fighting for playoff positioning themselves, looked to take advantage of Boston's depleted lineup. Early on, it seemed they might succeed. Orlando built a 29-20 lead after one quarter, capitalizing on Boston’s 26 percent shooting and their own dominance on the boards. But the Celtics, who have made a habit of exceeding expectations this season, refused to go quietly. Baylor Scheierman, who would finish with a career-high and game-high 30 points along with 7 assists and 7 rebounds, set the tone with aggressive play on both ends. Ron Harper Jr., celebrating his 26th birthday, added 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, proving he belongs in the team’s future plans.
“We stayed ready and showed what we can do, both individually and collectively, and kept the standard high,” said one Celtics insider, capturing the spirit of a team that never lets up, no matter who’s on the court.
The first half saw the Magic take a 61-52 lead into the break, thanks to a 26-19 rebounding edge. Boston, however, kept pace by going a perfect 17-for-17 from the free throw line—their best first-half mark since 2023. Rookie John Tonje chipped in with a career-best 13 points off the bench, and Max Shulga’s energy on defense led to key plays that kept the Celtics within striking distance.
Then came a third quarter for the ages. The Celtics stormed out of the locker room on a 25-12 run, quickly erasing the deficit and seizing control. A mix of hustle plays, extra passes, and relentless defense fueled a 42-20 quarter, giving Boston a 94-81 advantage heading into the final frame. The TD Garden crowd, nearly 19,000 strong, roared their approval, sensing something special was unfolding.
“I think they helped us get that third-quarter run, and I think they kept us in it,” coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame. “But I think the great thing about our fans is, one, they're smart, they know good basketball. Two, they care about winning. They care about playing the right way, and I think as they see that, that's what they want to see.”
Still, the Magic weren’t done. Led by Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero, each finishing with 23 points, Orlando chipped away at the lead in the fourth. With just 36 seconds remaining, Suggs drilled a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 108. TD Garden held its breath as Mazzulla called a timeout, drawing up a play that would become the night’s defining moment.
“We drew up a play for me to come off a screen and we wanted to go for the two-for-one,” Luka Garza explained after the game. “So I knew once I caught it, I had to go up with it and it went in.”
Garza, who had been the odd man out of the rotation in recent weeks, seized his opportunity. With Wendell Carter Jr. in his face, Garza launched a turnaround three-pointer with 31.7 seconds left. The ball splashed through the net, sending the crowd into a frenzy and giving Boston a 111-108 lead. Garza finished with a career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds, earning “Name to Know” Player of the Game honors.
“It felt awesome,” Garza said, beaming. “Seeing it go in, just feeling the crowd too, it was definitely a top moment for me.”
Jordan Walsh then calmly sank two free throws to help seal the improbable win. For Garza, it was validation of the hard work he’s put in all season, particularly in developing his three-point shot and embracing his identity as a rebounder and screener. “I think I’ve shown that I’m a guy who can play every single night and I’m a guy that’s going to be ready when the opportunity comes,” Garza reflected. “I think there’s parts of my game that people didn’t really know, like let’s say, my three point shooting. I believe in myself and think I’ve shown that, I can be a guy who can knock it down.”
As the final seconds ticked away, the Celtics’ bench erupted, and the crowd’s energy reached a fever pitch. The win pushed Boston’s final regular season record to 56-26—five games shy of last year’s 61-21 mark, but remarkable given the roster turnover and injuries endured. The victory also scrambled the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, adding another twist to an already unpredictable season.
Coach Mazzulla praised his players for their situational awareness and composure under pressure. “Very rarely, you're in a situation like that, one timeout, 35 seconds, you get the two-for-one. So it's a credit to Luka to just get a play off there, but that allowed us to kind of play situational basketball.”
For many of Boston’s lesser-known contributors, this was a chance to shine and perhaps earn a bigger role in the playoffs. Baylor Scheierman’s all-around brilliance, Harper Jr.’s leadership, Tonje’s hustle, and Garza’s heroics all underscored the Celtics’ enviable depth. Even Dalano Banton, so new that his name wasn’t on his locker yet, played with poise and confidence.
Now, with a week to rest and regroup, the Celtics await their first-round playoff opponent—either the Philadelphia 76ers or, in a twist of fate, another date with the Orlando Magic. Regardless of who they face, Boston will have homecourt advantage and the momentum of a team that’s proven it can win under any circumstances.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. The Celtics, even with their backs against the wall and their stars in street clothes, reminded everyone that the heart of a contender beats strongest when it’s least expected. The playoffs are next, and if this finale was any indication, Boston won’t be an easy out for anyone.