Orlando Magic wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will not be popular in Boston over the hard foul that injured Jayson Tatum, but he has no regrets about the situation.
Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Tatum is considered doubtful for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round on Wednesday night after he landed hard on his right wrist following a hard foul by Caldwell-Pope in Game 1.
Some Celtics players, particularly Al Horford, felt that the Magic crossed a line with their physicality, which led to the injury.
Caldwell-Pope was not buying that narrative. He said Wednesday that he was just playing “playoff basketball.”
“This is how I’ve been playing in playoff basketball,” Caldwell-Pope said. “A hard foul is a hard foul.
I really don’t care what anybody says. I’m still gonna play how I play, how I’m supposed to play for my team at the end of the day.
“I don’t know what happened (regarding Tatum’s injury). For me, I’m going up to contest a shot. As a defender, I’m here to help stop the ball from going in the basket.
Whether they thought it was a flagrant foul or a bad call or whatever it was, I just went up to block the ball.”
Caldwell-Pope was ultimately called for a flagrant-1 foul on the play, and there was definitely some frustration from Boston’s side after the game. That only got worse when Tatum was ruled doubtful for Game 2.
Orlando’s hard-nosed play has rubbed opponents the wrong way all season. They are not about to change now, though it will provide some extra heat for their first-round series.
News
Fever Playoff SHOCKER: Experts Reveal Why Facing the Aces Could Be DISASTER—But Dream Matchup Might Be the Golden Ticket Caitlin Clark Needs for a DEEP Postseason Run!
The Indiana Fever’s meteoric rise this season has positioned them as one of the WNBA’s most compelling stories, clinching the…
Odyssey Sims Praises Indiana Fever Sisterhood While SLAMMING Bibby-Clark Bond—Calls It “Embarrassing,” and Sparks INTENSE Debate About Loyalty, Chemistry, and What’s REALLY Happening Inside the Team!
The WNBA’s tapestry of talent and tenacity is woven with threads of unbreakable bonds, where players transcend teams to become…
WNBA Commissioner in FULL PANIC as Clark’s Injury Leaves Arena EMPTY—Only 200 Fans Witness Sky vs Liberty in What’s Being Called the League’s Most HUMILIATING Moment Ever!
The WNBA’s glittering facade shattered into irreparable shards just two minutes ago, as Commissioner Cathy Engelbert unleashed a tirade that…
Hoda Kotb STUNS Fans—Reveals REAL Reason She Left The Today Show! Bold Career Move into Entrepreneurship Leaves Viewers in SHOCK and Sparks Major Buzz Across Morning TV Industry!
Hoda Kotb’s final Today Show sign-off wasn’t a slow-motion montage or a tear-streaked hug-fest; it was a single, steady sentence delivered at…
Mandy Moore BREAKS SILENCE After Charlie Kirk Assassination—Lifelong Democrat Shares DEEPLY Emotional Statement That’s Shocking Both Sides of America and Leaving Millions in Tears!
Mandy Moore is among the Hollywood stars speaking out after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated while giving a speech at Utah Valley University on…
Ne-Yo Causes SCENE at Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Store—Flaunts Four Girlfriends During Outrageous Shopping Trip That Has Social Media BUZZING and Fans Questioning What’s Really Going On!
Ne-Yo is leaning all the way into his polyamorous lifestyle — and he’s not hiding it. The R&B star, 45, was…
End of content
No more pages to load