The Celtics are down—but not out. After coughing up back-to-back 20-point leads at home, the reigning NBA champions now head into a raucous Madison Square Garden staring at a 0-2 hole against the surging New York Knicks. It’s a scenario no one saw coming. Not after the dominance of last season. Not with this roster. Not with this firepower.
But here they are. The Celtics are in survival mode—and with that comes the most important question Boston fans have asked all week: Will their stars be ready?
Let’s break it down, starting with the official injury report.
Celtics Injury Report: Brown and Tatum Cleared, Hauser Doubtful
The answer Celtics Nation wanted to hear? Yes. Both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are expected to suit up tonight for Game 3.
Despite ongoing whispers about lingering knee soreness for Brown and a wrist ailment hampering Tatum, neither has been listed on the official injury report. They’re in. No minute restrictions have been hinted at. No cryptic quotes. Just full availability in the biggest game of Boston’s season so far.
That’s the good news.
Mar 26, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The not-so-good news? Sam Hauser is listed as doubtful after spraining his ankle in Game 1. He missed Game 2 and hasn’t recovered enough to guarantee a return. While Hauser isn’t the centerpiece of Boston’s rotation, his value as a floor-spacing wing and second-unit sharpshooter is significant—especially for a team whose outside shooting has completely fallen apart down the stretch.
The Celtics’ depth already took a hit when Kristaps Porziņģis, still recovering from illness, was relegated to short stints and a bench role in Game 2. With Hauser likely sidelined and Porziņģis far from 100%, the margin for error thins out even more. Moreover, the Knicks are healthy and are going to be supported by the loudest audience cheering for them at MSG tonight. Hence, this game hinges on the availability—and performance—of Tatum and Brown.
Second-Half Collapses, Championship DNA, and a Moment of Truth
What makes this series so shocking isn’t just that the Celtics are trailing 0-2. It’s how they’ve gotten there. Boston led by 20 in both Games 1 and 2. They were, at multiple points, firmly in control. And yet in both contests, they fell apart late.
The numbers are damning: Boston has scored just 38 points on 50 possessions in the fourth quarter and overtime combined. They’re shooting 11-for-53 over the final 29 minutes of basketball. That’s 21% from the field—an unfathomable drop-off for a team that was once an offensive juggernaut.
Jaylen Brown summed it up best after Game 2: “Our defense, I thought, was great. We had physicality, we had energy. Our offense let us down.” That’s where this gets complicated. Because for all of Boston’s high-powered potential, their offense has gone cold under pressure. Tatum struggled to close Game 2, losing the handle on the Celtics’ final possession as Mikal Bridges smothered him with a signature double-team.
Brown, too, has had opportunities—mismatches on smaller defenders like Brunson—but hasn’t been able to capitalize consistently. Add in Porziņģis being a non-factor and Hauser’s absence, and suddenly the Celtics’ once-vaunted spacing looks tight, predictable, and hesitant.
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates with guard Jaylen Brown (7) after a play against the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Which makes tonight feel like a turning point. Not just for the series. For the core. Because for all their accolades and regular-season success, questions still follow the Tatum-Brown tandem. Can they close games? Can they adjust on the fly? Can they beat elite defensive teams without a third scorer fully engaged? The Knicks, led by Tom Thibodeau, aren’t just winning—they’re out-executing. They’re out-toughing. They’re outlasting. Hart is burying open threes. Bridges is delivering dagger after dagger. Brunson is dancing in crunch time.
The Celtics? They’ve been chasing ghosts. If Boston loses tonight, they go down 0-3. No team in NBA history has come back from that. So this isn’t just a Game 3. It’s a gut-check. A legacy-shaper. This is where Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown—both of whom will be on the floor—have to show the world they’re not just All-Stars. They’re not just statistical machines. They’re closers. Leaders. Champions.
The Celtics have the roster, the experience, the coaching. But none of that will matter unless they start finishing. Unless they respond—not just by playing, but by delivering. Tonight, there’s no room for excuses.
Brown’s knee is sore? Tatum’s wrist hurts? Welcome to the playoffs. Everyone’s limping. The only thing that matters is whether Boston’s stars can rise when everything’s crumbling. So yes, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are playing tonight in Game 3 vs. the Knicks. Their availability is not in doubt.
What is in doubt? Whether this Celtics team can rediscover its killer instinct—and rewrite a series that’s slipping fast out of their hands. Tonight, we find out if the champs still have any magic left.
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