Celtics vs Magic Game 5 Injury Report: Will Paolo Banchero & Franz Wagner Play Tonight?

Whether the Orlando Magic live to fight another day or not this season depends entirely on their frontcourt pairing of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.  In Game 4 of their ongoing duel in the first round of the playoffs against the 2024 NBA Champs, Banchero was at his usual sensational best, carrying the offense, pouring in 31 points, and adding 7 rebounds. He was well supported by Wagner, who ended up with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 dimes. However, the firepower of the Celtics was on full display, eclipsing the performance of Orlando’s star duo, pushing them to within a win away from the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Game 5 at TD Garden is a do-or-die situation for the Magic. Banchero and Wagner will have to do some heavy lifting come Tuesday night for the Magic to force a Game 6. Only this time around, the Magic would want their remaining starters and bench to come good with the scene now shifting back to Bean Town. The Magic will have to do without the services of Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner, who are done for the season. The spotlight, however, continues to be on Banchero to be the one to take the Magic home on Tuesday night.

Jaylen Brown was a game-time decision by Joe Mazzulla at the Kia Center and showed why he is held in such great esteem by absolutely balling in Game 4. However, his availability at home for Game 5 is in question due to his knee. This was the case for the last two games as well. But his performance in Game 4 means, Mazzulla would be tempted again to go with his star Guard at the 2 position. Jrue Holiday continues to miss the playoffs due to a hamstring injury. The rest of the Boston players have been given the green light by the training staff.

Oct 28, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the hoop past Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) in the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Paolo Banchero’s output in the playoffs against the Champs has been unreal. The former Duke star already has three 30+ point games in 4 outings and is averaging 32 PPG. Jamahl Mosley would once again be relying heavily on his star SF to carry the offense come Tuesday night. It is abundantly clear that the Magic have no other option in Game 5 other than coming away with a W. The C’s would be eager to book their place in the ECSF. It is sure going to be interesting to see who both teams put out as their starting five for this all-important clash.

Probable Starting-5 for the C’s and Magic on Tuesday Night

The Celtics would be itching to close the deal in front of the Boston faithful come Tuesday night. Joe Mazzulla, who is in his 3rd season as Head Coach, has an impressive 30-13 playoff record and would be looking to build on this. Jaylen Brown’s amazing performance in Game 4 means that in spite of his being bothered by his knee, he is likely to start in Game 5. The only player who is surely to miss out is Jrue Holiday, who has a hamstring issue. The Celtics are likely to go with the following starting lineup to close out the series at home.

Point Guard	Derrick White
Shooting Guard	Jaylen Brown
Small Forward	Jayson Tatum
Power Forward	Al Horford
Center	Kristaps Porzingis

It is win or go home time for the Magic. Jamahl Mosley seemed unhappy with the officiating in Game 4, where his team committed 24 fouls, resulting in Boston going 30-for-32 from the foul line. But this is no time to let such things affect Orlando’s ultimate goal – to win Game 5 to stay alive in the series. Mosley would be banking on his experienced backcourt of Cory Joseph and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to give him some quality minutes. Both are former champions and know what it takes to win on the big stage. The starting five for the Magic is expected to be the same as the previous game.

Point Guard	Cory Joseph
Shooting Guard	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Small Forward	Paolo Banchero
Power Forward	Franz Wagner
Center	Wendell Carter Jr.

The atmosphere inside TD Garden on Tuesday night is most certainly to be electrifying. The Magic will not only be going up against a raucous Boston crowd. History is also not on their side. Only 13 teams have ever managed to come back from 3-1 deficits in the playoffs. It is sure to be an uphill task for them, but not an improbable one. For them to have an iota of a chance, every Magic player would have to transform into a warrior in Game 5. The C’s, on the other hand, would be looking to slam the door shut on the Magic to continue with their quest to go back-to-back as NBA Champs.

The post Celtics vs Magic Game 5 Injury Report: Will Paolo Banchero & Franz Wagner Play Tonight? appeared first on EssentiallySports.