Jayson Tatum returns from wrist injury with 36 points but Celtics lose to Magic in Game 3

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Even with Jayson Tatum in the starting lineup, the Boston Celtics still couldn't find a way to win in Orlando.

Tatum scored 36 points Friday night, but the Magic won 95-93 to cut the Celtics' lead to 2-1 in the first-round playoff series.

Tatum had missed Wednesday night's Game 2 in Boston with a bone bruise in his right wrist, marking his first playoff game missed after he had played in 114 straight.

Tatum was hurt in the series opener after a hard fall. The Celtics had originally listed the All-Star forward as doubtful to play Friday, then upgraded him to questionable and said he was available shortly before the game.

“Just dealing with the pain tolerance, and the treatment has been progressing every day, and I just felt like I needed to go out there and play,” Tatum said.

He played 39 minutes, finishing with nine rebounds and seven turnovers.

The NBA champion and No. 2-seeded Celtics brought a 2-0 lead into the game at Orlando, where they have lost all three of their games this season and postseason. Tatum did not play in either of the regular-season losses.

The problem in Friday's game was the third quarter, when the Celtics scored on 11 points, shooting 3 for 17 with six turnovers.

“We just got stagnant. We’ve just got to play with more pace, more energy,” Tatum said.

“I just think today in that third quarter, we weren't getting stops. It's kind of tough to play against a set defense every single time, or the majority of the quarter. Give them credit. They play hard, they have some defenders, but I think we had to get some stops first and get get in transition and get our pace up. I think we will next game.”

The Celtics played without starting guard Jrue Holiday because of strained right hamstring. Al Horford started in a big lineup along with Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, looks to pass the ball as he is defended by Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, left, during the first half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, right, lines up a shot against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the second half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) tries to get past Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives past Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, left, and Derrick White watch from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, left, drives past Orlando Magic's Anthony Black during the first half in game 1 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

NEW DELHI (AP) — The Indian government on Tuesday disputed U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that the U.S.-mediated ceasefire between India and Pakistan came about in part because he had offered possible trade concessions.

Addressing a weekly news conference, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesman for India’s foreign ministry, said top leaders in New Delhi and Washington were in touch last week following the Indian military’s intense standoff with Pakistan, but that there was no conversation on trade.

“The issue of trade didn't come up in any of these discussions,” Jaiswal said, referring to the conversations held between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar.

Following Saturday’s understanding between India and Pakistan to stop military action on land, in the air and at sea, Trump told reporters on Monday that he had offered to help both nations with trade if they agreed to de-escalate.

“I said, come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let’s stop it. Let’s stop it. If you stop it, we’ll do a trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade,’” Trump said.

“And all of a sudden, they said, I think we’re going to stop,” Trump said, crediting trade leverage for influencing both the nations’ decision. “For a lot of reasons, but trade is a big one,” he said.

The militaries of India and Pakistan had been engaged in one of their most serious confrontations in decades since last Wednesday, when India struck targets inside Pakistan it said were affiliated with militants responsible for the massacre of 26 tourists last month in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan has denied any links to the attackers.

After India's strikes in Pakistan, the two sides exchanged heavy fire along their de facto borders, followed by missile and drone strikes into each other’s territories, mainly targeting military installations and airbases.

The escalating hostilities between the nuclear-armed rivals threatened regional peace, leading to calls by world leaders to cool down tempers.

Trump said he not only helped mediate the ceasefire, but also offered mediation over the simmering dispute in Kashmir, a Himalayan region that both India and Pakistan claim in entirety but administer in parts. The two nations have fought two wars over Kashmir, which has long been described as the regional nuclear flashpoint.

New Delhi also declined Trump's offer for mediation on Tuesday.

“We have a longstanding national position that any issues related to the federally controlled union territory of Jammu and Kashmir must be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. There has been no change to the stated policy,” Jaiswal said.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Tuesday that Pakistan was expelling a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, accusing him of unspecified inappropriate activity and giving him 24 hours to leave the country.

In a tit-for-tat move last month, India and Pakistan reduced each other’s diplomatic presence in Islamabad and New Delhi. So far, none of the expelled diplomats have returned. Pakistan and India routinely expel each other’s diplomats over allegations of espionage.

Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed contributed to this story from Islamabad.

CAPTION CORRECTS TO MATCH TEXT STORY - People carry a huge tricolor flag as they participates in Tiranga Yatra or tricolor march to highlight the success of Operation Sindoor under which India struck targets inside Pakistan it said were affiliated with militants responsible for the massacre of 26 tourists last month in Indian-controlled Kashmir. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

CAPTION CORRECTS TO MATCH TEXT STORY - People participate in Tiranga Yatra or tricolor march to highlight the success of Operation Sindoor under which India struck targets inside Pakistan it said were affiliated with militants responsible for the massacre of 26 tourists last month in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in Ahmedabad, India, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)