Despite losing star forward Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles in Game 4, the Boston Celtics refused to back down. Facing elimination, they delivered a resounding 127-102 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 5 at TD Garden, forcing the series to a sixth game.
The pivotal moment came in the third quarter when Boston exploded on a 16-3 run over a span of four and a half minutes—turning a tied game into a commanding lead they’d never relinquish.
“We didn’t play a full 48 minutes,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “We had a lead early in the second but didn’t play tough enough with it. Then we came out flat in the third. You can’t do that in the playoffs.”
Derrick White led the charge, pouring in 34 points while shooting 56.3% from the field. He knocked down seven of his 13 three-point attempts, providing the offensive spark Boston desperately needed with Tatum sidelined.
Big man Luke Kornet stepped up in a major way defensively. He finished the night with seven blocks, effectively shutting down the Knicks’ ability to attack the rim. Adding 10 points and nine rebounds, Kornet’s all-around performance anchored a Celtics defense that stifled New York all night.
With their defense clicking and their perimeter shooting on point, the Celtics showed signs of life. The reigning NBA champions aren’t ready to relinquish their title hopes just yet, leaning on their experience and grit to stay alive in the series.
“You don’t get to choose the challenges you face,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “You only choose how you respond. That’s life—and basketball.”
Boston’s hot shooting was a difference-maker. As a team, they hit nearly 45% of their shots from beyond the arc, making the Knicks pay for slow transitions and missed rotations.
“You’ve got to sprint back, communicate, and get matched up,” Thibodeau said. “One guy lags and it’s an open shot. You can’t allow that against this team.”
The first half ended in a 59-59 deadlock, but the Celtics blew it open in the third, outscoring the Knicks 32-17 and entering the final quarter with a 15-point cushion.
Jaylen Brown stepped up in Tatum’s absence, finishing with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting. He also went 3-for-5 from three-point range and recorded a double-double with 12 assists while grabbing eight rebounds.
On the Knicks’ side, Mitchell Robinson made his presence felt on the boards with 13 rebounds and added eight points—six of which came from a perfect 6-for-6 mark at the free-throw line, a notable improvement for the big man who had been struggling from the stripe (38.6% prior to this game).
Jalen Brunson managed just 22 points on 17 shots before fouling out in the fourth quarter, capping a frustrating night for New York’s offense.
Now down 3-2 in the series, Boston has a shot to even things up in Game 6. They’ll travel to Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will try to clinch their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000. New York hasn’t closed out a series at home since 1999. Tip-off for Game 6 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Friday.
The Celtics, one win away from forcing a Game 7 at TD Garden, aren’t done yet—and as history has shown, anything can happen in a Game 7.
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