Al Horford Calls Out Orlando Magic’s Physical Play Against Jayson Tatum
In the world of professional basketball, the playoffs are a time when tensions run high, and every play is scrutinized under a microscope. This was certainly the case in Boston on Sunday, when the Celtics faced off against the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their playoff series. The game was intense, and the physicality on the court was palpable. However, it was a particular incident involving Celtics star Jayson Tatum that has sparked a heated discussion about the limits of physical play in the NBA.
Veteran Celtics player Al Horford did not mince words when he expressed his belief that the Orlando Magic crossed a line with their aggressive play against Tatum. The incident in question occurred during Boston’s Game 1 victory, when Tatum took a hard fall that landed him on the injury report with a bone bruise in his right wrist. As of Tuesday, Tatum is listed as doubtful for Game 2, scheduled for Wednesday.
“Yeah, there was something extra,” Horford said, referring to the physicality of the Magic’s play. “There was a lot. It was the second or third time that — especially Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — went at him in that way.”
The play that seemed to particularly irk Horford involved a collision between Tatum, Caldwell-Pope, and Wendell Carter Jr. as Tatum was driving for a two-handed dunk in the fourth quarter. The usually composed Horford was visibly upset, gesturing towards the Magic players, especially Caldwell-Pope, who was subsequently called for a flagrant foul.
“I’m not sure what goes into [plays like that],” Horford continued. “[The] only thing I would say is that it’s the playoffs, so the game is going to be more physical, it’s going to be more intense. I feel like those plays are probably going to happen more often than not.”
Despite the hard fall, Tatum remained in the game, finishing with 17 points on 8-of-22 shooting and a game-high 14 rebounds. However, he was seen favoring his wrist, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming game.
After the game, X-rays on Tatum’s wrist came back negative, providing some relief to Celtics fans. On Tuesday, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla provided an update, stating that Tatum was able to do “some stuff” at practice. “Just sore after the game; it’s gotten a little better today,” Mazzulla said. “He’s going to go through some on-court work and go from there.”
When asked if the seventh-seeded Magic were attempting to intimidate the second-seeded Celtics with their physical play, Boston reserve guard Payton Pritchard was unfazed. “I don’t feel intimidated,” he said. “Obviously, they fouled him hard, and then he had a little fall, but it’s not going to stop us from what we’re trying to achieve. It’s not going to knock us off our path.”
In a moment that caught the attention of many, Mazzulla appeared to briefly hold back a Celtics training official from attending to Tatum immediately after the fall, instead yelling “get up” at Tatum, who was still on the floor. When asked about this moment on Tuesday, Mazzulla offered a succinct response: “Love.”
“I think at the end of the day I’m grateful for the relationship that I have with the guys,” Mazzulla elaborated. “I’m grateful for the relationship that I have with him. And you love guys in different ways. But everything is built on love. Everything is built on the relationship that we have, their self-expression.
- Horford’s reaction highlights the intensity of playoff basketball.
- Tatum’s injury status remains a concern for the Celtics.
- The Celtics are determined to stay focused despite the physical play.
“They allow me to be who I am. And they trust [me and] we have a trust for each other, but it all starts with love. And so in that moment it looks different in different moments, but I appreciate who he is as a competitor and our team in that moment, but it all starts with that.”
Originally Written by: Baxter Holmes
