Jaylen Brown Drops 36 Points, Leading Celtics to 109-100 Victory Over Magic Without Jayson Tatum

So, there I was, feeling kind of antsy watching the game from my couch, balancing a cold slice of pizza on my knee. Boston vs. Orlando, right? Not usually my scene, but something about the energy just yanked me in. Anyway, Jaylen Brown was out there just lighting up the court with 36 points—pretty wild. Plus, 10 rebounds! Like, is this guy trying to be Superman or what? Speaking of superhuman stuff, Porzingis took a!—and by that, I mean a, like, forehead-splitting gash—got back into the game to score 20. After seeing that, you think, “How does one even do that?!”

Game 2, first-round playoffs, and Boston was cruising pretty comfortably for a while. They had this 15-point safety net in the second half, not the worst position to be in, honestly. Tatum wasn’t even playing. Wrist issue or something. Bone bruise, they said. I don’t know—big words for me. Must’ve been weird for him missing his first playoff game ever; dude’s been crushing it for eight whole seasons. Can you imagine just chilling on the bench with your team, dressed casually while they’re out there busting their chops?

So, no Tatum, but Boston’s chemistry was fire. Hit a bunch of 3-pointers—12 to be exact—and made 25 of 33 free throws. Not bad at all. Derrick White and Brown handled business in the final period, dropping 17 of the 28 points to seal the deal. White wrapped up with 17 points, just in case anyone’s keeping score.

Then Orlando. Paolo Banchero was a beast with 32 points and nine boards. I mean, he really stepped up. And Franz Wagner pitched in with his 25 points. Still, it just wasn’t their night.

And just like that, Boston’s leading the series 2-0. Already thinking, what’s next? Game 3 is set for Friday in Orlando. Hopefully, the Magic’s got some tricks up their sleeves—pun intended. Anyway, Tatum was there too, in street clothes, hanging with his team on the sidelines. And trust me, if you were anywhere around, you’d hear people whispering about that.

So, yeah, that’s the rundown of my chaotic evening, pizza slice and all. I’ve gotta wonder: how will Orlando respond post this? Friday’s game should be a roller coaster, or at least I hope so.