Celtics to be shorthanded in frontcourt against Magic

Celtics to Be Shorthanded in Frontcourt Against Magic

The Celtics enter their second NBA Cup game with an almost clean injury report, except for one key big man. Xavier Tillman will not play due to personal reasons when the Celtics face the Magic in Orlando on Friday at 7 p.m. EST, the first of a two-game set at the Kia Center.

Rookies Amari Williams and Max Shulga remain with the Maine Celtics.

Magic’s Injury and Key Player

The Magic will be without Moritz Wagner as he continues recovering from a torn ACL.

NBA Cup Standings

The Celtics are 1-0 in group play after a win against the 76ers last week.
The Magic have not yet played a Cup game.

Matchup Challenges

Without Tillman, Boston will likely face bigger challenges containing Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who averaged 29.4 points per game against the Celtics during the 2025 playoffs first round, which Boston won 4-1.

"Boston struggled to keep Banchero off the boards, with the former rookie of the year registering seven or more rebounds in four of the five games."

The Magic aim to avenge their playoff loss while proving themselves as a rising force in the Eastern Conference.

Celtics’ Recent Form and Broadcast Info

The Celtics will try to maintain their winning momentum after a dominant victory over the Wizards, following a two-game win streak.

The game can be heard live on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m.

Summary: The Celtics face a key frontcourt absence against the Magic, who seek playoff revenge, making this NBA Cup game a crucial test for both teams' Eastern Conference aspirations.

98.5 The Sports Hub — 2025-11-07