The NBA playoffs are finally here, and the Boston Celtics are set to defend their title against the Orlando Magic in a first-round series that promises to be intense and thrilling. The Celtics, who finished the regular season with a stellar 61-21 record, are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Magic secured the No. 7 seed after a decisive victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament.
The series kicks off on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden, where the Celtics will look to start their playoff journey on a high note. This matchup marks the first playoff series between these two franchises since 2010, when the Celtics triumphed in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic.
Orlando's path to the playoffs was solidified with a commanding 120-95 win against the Hawks on April 15, 2025. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley expressed excitement about facing the reigning champions, stating, “Facing the champs, it’s a great opportunity. It’s a great opportunity to see and play against the best team in the league. They’re the champs still until somebody beats them.”
The Celtics are not just looking to win this series; they are aiming to become the first NBA team to win back-to-back championships since the 2018 Golden State Warriors and the first Celtics team to repeat since 1969. Boston's last postseason run was nothing short of spectacular, as they clinched their 18th title by winning 15 of their 18 playoff games.
As the series approaches, the Celtics have had a record-breaking season, setting an NBA record for made 3-pointers with 1,457 and leading the league in attempts with 3,955. This long-range shooting prowess has been a hallmark of their offensive strategy, contributing to their effective field goal percentage of .561, which ranks fifth overall in the league. Key players like Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard have all surpassed the franchise record for most 3-pointers in a season, with Tatum hitting 250, White 265, and Pritchard 255.
However, the Celtics must navigate a challenging matchup against the Magic, who excel defensively. Orlando ranked first in the league for blocks and allowed the fewest 3-pointers per game. They also held opponents below 100 points 22 times this season, showcasing their ability to stifle offensive threats. While the Celtics have a second-best offensive rating in the NBA, they will need to find ways to break through Orlando's elite defense.
In their three regular-season meetings, the Celtics went 1-2 against the Magic. Boston's only victory came when they faced a full-strength Magic team at TD Garden, where they dominated 121-94. However, in their two losses, the Celtics were shorthanded, missing key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum was sidelined due to illness in the first matchup on December 23, 2024, and in the second meeting on April 9, 2025, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla opted to rest his top six players.
Despite the challenges, the Celtics are confident heading into the playoffs. Veteran big man Al Horford remarked, “I feel like we’ve experienced that most of the year already. We’ve seen a lot. I feel like we’re ready for this new chapter.” With the stakes high, the Celtics will be eager to assert their dominance and begin their title defense.
As for the Magic, they will rely heavily on their star duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who averaged a combined 50.1 points per game during the regular season. Banchero and Wagner are expected to play pivotal roles in their quest to upset the defending champions. Supporting players like Cole Anthony, who scored 26 points in the Play-In Tournament, and Wendell Carter Jr. will also need to step up to complement their stars.
The full schedule for the series has been released, with all times in Eastern Standard Time:
- Game 1: Magic vs. Celtics on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
- Game 2: Magic vs. Celtics on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.
- Game 3: Celtics at Magic on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
- Game 4: Celtics at Magic on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.
- Game 5: Magic vs. Celtics on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, time TBD (if necessary).
- Game 6: Celtics at Magic on Thursday, May 1, 2025, time TBD (if necessary).
- Game 7: Magic vs. Celtics on Saturday, May 3, 2025, time TBD (if necessary).
With the playoffs upon us, fans can expect an electrifying series filled with drama, skill, and determination as the Celtics aim to continue their reign while the Magic look to make a statement. Who will emerge victorious in this clash of styles? The stage is set, and the excitement is palpable as both teams prepare for battle.
