Paolo Banchero opens up about facing Jayson Tatum-led Celtics in NBA playoffs

Paolo Banchero had an interesting season for the Orlando Magic, but after winning the first Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament game against the Atlanta Hawks, he is shifting his focus to a first-round matchup against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. Banchero and the Magic may be underdogs in the series, but they are ready for the challenge.

Banchero emerged as the Magic's leader alongside co-star Franz Wagner last season, helping Orlando return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. They fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games, but with another year of experience, Banchero is aiming for playoff redemption.

Paolo Banchero spoke with Andscape senior writer Marc Spears about his season and his expectations for the first-round series against Jayson Tatum and the Celtics in a story published Friday. According to Banchero, he and his team are ready for the challenge that Boston presents.

"(Brown and Tatum), those two All-NBA, All-Star caliber guys. They’ve been there before in the playoffs and in the spotlight. Those guys are going to present a huge challenge. We know that coming in," Banchero said.

The Orlando Magic enter the postseason with momentum, having won six of their last seven games, including the play-in victory over the Hawks that secured them the No. 7 seed. Despite the momentum, Paolo Banchero knows the task ahead is daunting.

"They’re going to be ready. They are part of a championship team so they are not going to lay down," Banchero said about Boston. "You have to match their level of intensity. You know the challenge they present. They got talent all over the floor. So, it’s going to take a special effort from us to beat them."

How can Paolo Banchero lead the Magic past the Celtics in the first round?

As Paolo Banchero said, a win for the Magic in their first-round series against Tatum and the Celtics will take everything the team has. Boston has been one of the bona fide title contenders all season, and their 3-point shooting has been among the best in the league, propelling them to lopsided victories.

Without starting point guard Jalen Suggs, even more offensive responsibility falls on the shoulders of Banchero and Wagner as they face one of the best defenses the NBA has to offer. If they are going to pull off what would be a massive upset, Banchero needs to ascend to superstar status and outplay MVP candidate Tatum.

The Magic were one of only a few teams to win their season series against Boston this year, giving them confidence as they head into their series. Game 1 will reveal a lot about the Magic's chances against the Celtics, especially in terms of how effective Banchero can be offensively.

If he can continue the stellar stretch he ended the regular season on into the playoffs, the Magic have a chance not only to beat the Celtics in the first round but also to make a deep run.