The walls of TD Garden might not echo with the same energy tonight. A storm of misfortune has cast its shadow on the reigning NBA champions. After crumbling under pressure in Game 4, the Boston Celtics now find themselves teetering on the edge, staring down a 3-1 deficit to the resilient New York Knicks. But the scoreboard isn’t the only thing weighing them down; the heart and soul of their squad, Jayson Tatum, went down with a season-ending Achilles injury just as he began looking like his old self.
It was a brutal sight; 42 points on the board and Tatum couldn’t even leave the floor without assistance. The Celtics’ body language said it all. Since then, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis have shouldered the responsibility, determined to fight. While the morale might be shaky, their resolve isn’t. And if there’s one thing this team has always prided itself on, it’s grit. But with Game 5 upon them, the question remains: will they be at full strength?
According to ESPN, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis are both expected to suit up tonight against the Knicks. While Sam Hauser has been listed as probable with an ankle issue, and Tatum is confirmed out after undergoing Achilles surgery, Brown and Porzingis will be in action. The news offers a sigh of relief for Celtics fans; both stars will be needed if Boston is to survive and push this series further. With no room for error, their presence could be the last flame keeping the Celtics’ playoff hopes alive.
Jaylen Brown has been a consistent force for the Celtics, averaging 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season. Even in the Game 4 loss, his post-game rallying cry made it clear: this fight isn’t over. Meanwhile, Porzingis, despite his mysterious fatigue and health woes, has managed 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds on 48.3% shooting this season. His recovery update was odd but hopeful. “Today was [the] first day I felt decent… just maybe didn’t have my best game, anyway. But energy was good,” he said. For a team shaken by Tatum’s sudden exit, having these two ready is more than just tactical; it’s emotional.
Still, questions remain. Porzingis has admitted to dealing with “super weird” fatigue symptoms that no Boston doctor has yet been able to diagnose. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst even mentioned that “every good doctor whom they could consult… they don’t know what it is.” That uncertainty looms large; but with Porzingis finally feeling “uplifted” and Brown fired up to defend their title hopes, the Celtics seem ready to regroup. At least for one more fight.
Who Will Step Up in Boston’s Game 5 Lineup Against the Knicks?
The absence of Jayson Tatum has thrown Boston’s offensive blueprint into a blender. The team relied heavily on his shot creation and ability to collapse defenses. Now, the onus falls on Brown, Porzingis, and key role players to carry that load. But it’s not just about scoring; Boston’s defensive structure also takes a hit without Tatum’s size and mobility on the perimeter.
Derrick White and Jrue Holiday will likely assume greater roles tonight. White’s perimeter shooting and Holiday’s composure under pressure will be vital. Meanwhile, someone from the second unit—possibly Payton Pritchard or Hauser, if healthy—must rise to the occasion. Every possession counts in Game 5, and Boston needs balance at both ends.
POS
NAME
PG
Jrue Holiday
SG
Derrick White
SF
Jaylen Brown
PF
Al Horford
C
Kristaps Porzingis
More importantly, the Celtics must fix the recurring issue that’s haunted them all series—over-reliance on the three-ball. They shot 50% from deep in the first half of Game 4 but plummeted to 25% in the second. It cost them dearly. Brown knows this; so does Mazzulla. Now it’s time for Boston to stop waiting on threes and start attacking the paint. If they don’t, the Knicks will gladly walk away with the series.
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