In a gritty showdown at the Kia Center last Friday night, the Orlando Magic exacted a measure of sweet revenge against the Boston Celtics, who had unceremoniously dumped them out of last year’s playoffs. The Magic clawed their way to a hard-fought 123-110 victory in an NBA Cup thriller, surging ahead in the fourth quarter while Boston crumbled under sloppy turnovers and defensive lapses. The loss dropped the defending champions to a dismal 4-6 start in the 2025-26 season, raising eyebrows across the league.
But redemption looms large for the Celtics as they gear up for Sunday’s rematch—the second act in this heated two-game mini-series. And here’s the bombshell straight from Boston’s injury report: Xavier Tillman Sr. is back in action. The versatile six-year veteran sat out Friday’s defeat for personal reasons, but he’s been cleared and is ready to suit up. With Jayson Tatum still sidelined, nursing a devastating torn Achilles tendon, Tillman’s return couldn’t come at a better time. He’s the lone bright spot on an otherwise sparse injury list, injecting much-needed depth into a bench that’s been searching for answers.
Tillman has suited up for seven of the nine games he’s been available this season, posting modest but steady numbers: 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in just 8.7 minutes per outing. But don’t let the stats fool you—this 26-year-old big man is sharper than ever. After shedding 12 pounds over the offseason and fully recovering from knee issues, his defensive agility is back in full force. He’s a switchable center who can guard multiple positions, and if his revamped shooting stroke starts draining threes, head coach Joe Mazzulla might just unleash him for extended minutes. Could this be the spark Boston needs to ignite their bench production and turn the tide against Orlando?
On the flip side, the Magic’s injury report remains unchanged—and that’s music to their ears. No new setbacks means they’re rolling with the same resilient squad that dominated Friday. The only absentee? Veteran center Moritz Wagner, who’s still on the mend from a torn ACL suffered back in December. The seven-footer hasn’t made his season debut yet, leaving a void in Orlando’s frontcourt rotation.
Wagner’s journey adds an intriguing layer to this rivalry. He briefly donned the green and white for nine games with the Celtics during the 2020-21 season before finding his true NBA footing in Orlando. Over five seasons with the Magic, he’s teamed up with his brother Franz to become a reliable bench sparkplug, averaging 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 18 minutes per game. His energy and scoring punch have been key to Orlando’s depth, but for now, he’s relegated to the sidelines, cheering on his teammates from afar.
As tip-off approaches at 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, the stage is set for an epic clash. Will Tillman’s return prove to be Boston’s secret weapon, turning the tables on the Magic and spelling nightmare fuel for Orlando? Or can the hosts build on their momentum and sweep the mini-series? One thing’s for sure—this rematch has all the makings of a classic, with playoff implications echoing from last year’s battles. Buckle up, hoops fans; the fireworks are just getting started.