In the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Celtics continued to play at home against the Magic. In the first game, the Celtics easily won and took a 1 - 0 lead in the series. However, Tatum was absent due to injury in this game.

At the beginning of the game, both sides quickly got into the rhythm. But then, with enhanced defense, the shooting percentage dropped. The Magic preferred to foul rather than let the Celtics shoot three - pointers. Jaylen Brown contributed 12 points in the first quarter, but the score was close. The Celtics led by 2 points in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Porzingis' consecutive strong plays in the paint led the Celtics to a 9 - 0 run and took a double - digit lead. But Franz Wagner responded strongly by scoring 7 points through consecutive breakthroughs to keep the score close. Wendell Carter Jr. also scored 7 points with a combination of inside and outside shots. At halftime, the Magic trailed by only 3 points. In the second half, the Celtics hit three consecutive three - pointers to take an 11 - 0 lead and extend the lead to double digits. The Magic responded with a 9 - 2 run to stop the bleeding. Then, the Celtics' players made consecutive breakthroughs and went on another 9 - 0 run. After three quarters, the Celtics still led by 10 points. In the fourth quarter, Banchero led the team to continue chasing points with both offense and passing. But White's tip - in and consecutive three - pointers helped the Celtics maintain a lead of around 10 points. Eventually, the Celtics defeated the Magic 109 - 100 and took a 2 - 0 lead in the series.

Team statistics：

Celtics (2 - 0): Jaylen Brown 36 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists; Kristaps Porzingis 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks; Derrick White 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; Payton Pritchard 14 points, 3 rebounds; Jrue Holiday 11 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists; Al Horford 9 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist; Luke Kornet 2 points, 2 rebounds; Sam Hauser 1 rebound.

Magic (0 - 2): Paolo Banchero 32 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks; Franz Wagner 25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; Wendell Carter Jr. 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist; Anthony Black 11 points, 4 rebounds; Markelle Fultz 7 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals; Gary Harris 4 points, 2 assists, 2 steals; Terrence Ross 3 points, 4 rebounds; Goga Bitadze 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Jonathan Isaac 1 rebound.