Wendell Carter Jr. Leads Magic To Playoff Upset Over Celtics
Wendell Carter Jr. Leads Magic To Playoff Upset Over Celtics...
Wendell Carter Jr. delivered a career-high 32 points and 14 rebounds as the Orlando Magic stunned the Boston Celtics 112-109 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Tuesday night. The victory at TD Garden forces a decisive Game 6 in Orlando on Thursday, keeping the eighth-seeded Magic's postseason hopes alive.
The 26-year-old center dominated the paint, shooting 13-of-18 from the field while containing Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis defensively. Carter's performance comes after he missed Game 4 with a bruised sternum, making his return even more impactful for the underdog Magic.
Carter's breakout game is trending nationally as basketball fans debate whether Orlando can complete the upset against the East's second seed. The former Duke standout has emerged as a key piece for the rebuilding Magic, averaging 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds this postseason.
Social media erupted with highlights of Carter's dunk over Porzingis in the third quarter, which sparked Orlando's 15-2 run. The play currently leads NBA Twitter's trending topics, with former players like Shaquille O'Neal praising Carter's "old-school physicality."
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley told reporters postgame: "Wendell set the tone from the first possession. That's the leadership we've been waiting to see from him." Carter's emergence comes at a crucial time, with Orlando facing elimination if they lose Thursday at Kia Center.
The Celtics now face unexpected pressure after winning 64 regular-season games. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged Carter's impact: "He outworked us in every hustle category. That can't happen in the playoffs."
With the series shifting back to Florida, sportsbooks have moved the Magic's series odds from +1200 to +380 following Carter's heroics. The game drew 12.4 million viewers on TNT, making it the most-watched first-round playoff game this year.
Carter's performance continues his career resurgence after injury-plagued seasons in Chicago. Since arriving in Orlando via trade in 2021, he's developed into one of the league's most efficient two-way centers, shooting 52% from the field this season.
As the Magic prepare for their biggest game in a decade, all eyes will be on whether Carter can replicate his Game 5 dominance. The winner advances to face either Cleveland or New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
