Shorthanded Celtics upset Magic in 113-108 stunner (PHOTOS)

The Boston Celtics developed a deep roster over the course of the 2025-26 campaign, and it was ironically most apparent when they had just eight players available on Sunday night against the Orlando Magic. With most of the Celtics resting and sidelined — including stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, center Neemias Queta, guard Derrick White, and others — the bench was forced to step up. But to say they stepped up would be putting it lightly, as the undermanned Celtics took down the (mostly healthy) Magic 113-108 at TD Garden.

In just his fifth start of the season, center Luka Garza dazzled with a career-high 27 points, including a dagger 3-pointer with 32 seconds to go that essentially ruined the Magic's chances of capturing the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. , who had never started in an NBA game prior to this season, also finished with a career-high 27 points.

Against all odds the undermanned Celtics shock the Magic in one of the best games of the year: pic. twitter. com/T1Eid2X99O — Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) April 13, 2026 Wing Baylor Scheierman rounded out the surprising, yet strong performances from the Celtics starters with a game-high (and career-high) 30 points in almost 39 minutes of play.

His hustle on both ends of the floor boosted Boston and encapsulated the high effort of the Celtics, who largely outworked the Magic despite having nothing to play for in terms of seeding. Up next for the 56-26 Celtics are the playoffs, which tip off for them on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden. The Green Team's first-round opponent will be the winner of a Wednesday night Play-In Tournament matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the aforementioned Magic.