Celtics' Al Horford Calls Out Magic for Using 'Extra' Physicality Against Jayson Tatum

It's safe to say Al Horford is not happy with the Orlando Magic's approach to defending Jayson Tatum during their first-round playoff series.

"Yeah, there was something extra," the Boston Celtics forward said Tuesday, per ESPN's Baxter Holmes. "There was a lot. It was the second or third time that—especially [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope]—went at him in that way."

Holmes noted one play stood out during Boston's 103-86 win in Sunday's Game 1.

Tatum drove into the lane in the fourth quarter and was met by Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr. in a midair collision. Caldwell-Pope was called for a flagrant foul, and Horford expressed his anger in the moment.

"I'm not sure what goes into [plays like that]," Horford said. "[The] only thing I would say is that it's the playoffs, so the game is going to be more physical, it's going to be more intense. I feel like those plays are probably going to happen more often than not."

While Boston received some good news when X-rays on Tatum's wrist were negative, he is still listed as doubtful for Wednesday's Game 2 because of a bone bruise in that right wrist.

Orlando is the No. 7 seed going against the reigning champions, so it likely needs to make the series a physical and ugly one to have a chance at the upset. Still, that doesn't mean crossing the line when it comes to playing too physically, and the veteran Horford believes they did just that.

Fortunately for the Celtics, Game 1 suggested they may be able to ease past Orlando even without Tatum.

He was solid but unspectacular on his way to 17 points and 14 rebounds on 8-of-22 shooting from the field and 1-of-8 from deep. Jaylen Brown was also relatively quiet from a scoring perspective with 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field.

Yet the Celtics still cruised to a commanding 17-point win, which was a testament to their overall depth and the ability of the role players.

Derrick White poured in 30 points behind seven three-pointers, while Payton Pritchard added 19 points off the bench. 

The pair may be asked to carry more of the offensive responsibilities until Tatum returns, and they looked more than up to the task during the initial blowout win to open the series.