NBA games set regular season finish with Celtics edging Magic 113-108, East playoff bracket locked

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Bench Mob Stuns Fully Healthy Magic in Historic Finale
• The Game Turned in Boston’s Dominant Third Quarter Run
• Garza’s Clutch Shot Seals Playoff Positioning Chaos
• Celtics’ Depth Shines as Boston Earns Second Seed Despite Injuries
• What Does This Upset Mean for the Eastern Conference Playoff Race?
  • Sources

Boston’s bench delivered an stunning 113-108 upset over fully healthy Orlando on April 12, setting the NBA’s playoff race on fire. Baylor Scheierman’s career-high 30 points and Luka Garza’s clutch late 3-pointer sent the Magic into a road play-in matchup while locking the East playoff bracket for good. The Celtics rested eight key players but still prevailed in a thrilling season finale.

Bench Mob Stuns Fully Healthy Magic in Historic Finale

The Boston Celtics’ reserve squad pulled off one of the season’s most shocking results, dismantling the Orlando Magic despite resting their five starting players and three additional key rotation men. Ron Harper Jr. added 27 points, while Luka Garza delivered 27 points and 12 rebounds, showing just how deep Boston’s talent truly runs.

The Magic, playing at full strength and desperately seeking the No. 7 seed, entered as clear favorites. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 23 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, and Jalen Suggs contributed 23 points. Yet Boston’s three-point barrage proved unstoppable as the reserves unleashed a devastating offensive display that started slowly before exploding in the third quarter.

The Game Turned in Boston’s Dominant Third Quarter Run

The Celtics outscored the Magic 42-20 in the third quarter, erasing an 11-point halftime deficit to build a commanding 13-point advantage heading into the final period. Scheierman and Harper Jr. combined for eight 3-pointers during this stretch, igniting the highest-scoring quarter by the reserves this season.

The Magic cut the fourth-quarter deficit to just five points with strong late-game execution. Wendell Carter Jr.’s free throw came with 1:37 left, cutting it to 108-105, but Boston’s reserves held firm when it mattered most in the tight final minutes.

Garza’s Clutch Shot Seals Playoff Positioning Chaos

Player	Points	Rebounds	Key Moment
Baylor Scheierman (BOS)	30	Career-high	6-of-14 from 3 point
Luka Garza (BOS)	27	12	Game-winner with 31.6 sec
Paolo Banchero (ORL)	23	10	Triple-double attempt
Jalen Suggs (ORL)	23	N/A	Game-tying 3 with 35 sec

Suggs’ right-wing 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining tied the game at 108-108, seemingly setting up overtime. But Garza collected an inbound pass and drilled a contested 3 from distance, stunning the Magic and forcing Orlando into a devastating play-in tournament game on the road against Philadelphia.

Coach Joe Mazzulla praised the Celtics fans for their energy despite the circumstances. “The great thing about our fans is they’re smart. They know good basketball. They care about winning,” he said after the victory that reshaped the entire Eastern Conference seeding picture.

“The Celtics’ reserves beat Orlando 113-108, send Magic into a play-in game against the 76ers.”

— ESPN Game Recap, April 12, 2026

Celtics’ Depth Shines as Boston Earns Second Seed Despite Injuries

Boston played most of the season without Jayson Tatum, who was recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, yet still earned the East’s No. 2 seed with a 56-26 record. The Celtics sat eight rotation players Sunday night, including stars Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and others to rest for the playoffs beginning April 18.

This result sends a message to the entire league. Boston’s bench production proves the Celtics’ organizational depth runs deeper than almost any team in the league. Attendance at TD Garden was 19,156 on a night when half the roster was on the sideline, showcasing fan commitment to winning basketball.

What Does This Upset Mean for the Eastern Conference Playoff Race?

The Magic (45-37) had won five straight heading into Sunday and seemed primed to lock the No. 7 seed at home. Instead, they fell to eighth place and now must travel to Philadelphia for Wednesday night’s play-in matchup against the 76ers (45-37). The Celtics will await either Orlando or Philadelphia in the first round, both now facing play-in uncertainty.

The playoffs begin April 18 with the play-in tournament running April 14-17. Boston proved once again why they’re championship contenders, even when resting key rotation players. Can Orlando bounce back in Philadelphia, or will this shocking loss define their postseason trajectory?

Sources

• ESPN – Official game recap and box scores for Celtics 113, Magic 108
• NBC Sports Boston – Live game coverage and postgame analysis from TD Garden
• AP News – Associated Press reporting on seeding implications and player performances