The Boston Celtics kicked off November with a hard-fought 108-97 road victory over the Orlando Magic on November 1, 2026. This win extends their current streak to five consecutive victories, tying their longest run from the previous season and improving their recent form to a perfect 5W-0L.
Orlando made it a fight. They erased a 15-point Celtics lead in the third quarter, setting up a tense finish. Clutch shot-making from Jayson Tatum and Paul George in the game's final minutes was the difference. Tatum finished with a game-high 32 points, adding 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His aggression earned him 17 free throw attempts, making 15. He's now the first Celtic since Paul Pierce in 2008 to attempt 54 free throws in a four-game span, a sign of his evolving offensive approach.
Tatum's two-way impact was massive. He locked down defensively, fighting through screens and pressuring ball handlers. Offensively, after a long rest to start the fourth, he hit two immediate pull-up jumpers to push the lead back to eight points. Over his last five games, Tatum is averaging 31.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on 61% true shooting.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla altered his starting five for the first time this season, inserting Hugo Gonzalez for Jordan Walsh. Gonzalez held his own in 14 minutes, scoring 7 points and grabbing 2 steals. All his points came in the first quarter, including a three-pointer and a couple of finishes in the paint. His physical presence on the glass helped create space and extra opportunities. The small sample was promising, showing comfort alongside the regular starters.
The schedule offers no rest. The team immediately travels to face the Houston Rockets on November 2. Maintaining this momentum will be a test, especially on the second night of a back-to-back. This 5-0 run, which includes wins over the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Knicks, has built strong early-season confidence. But the focus now shifts to Houston.
