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[Boston Celtics]

10 takeaways from Game 3 vs. the Knicks: Boston find answers, but questions remain

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Boston made key tactical adjustments on offense to stretch the floor, exploit mismatches, and spark Payton Pritchard’s breakout night. Defensive lapses still lingered, but improved rim protection and transition scoring brought the Celtics back into the series. 4o

#1 - Boston find space in New York​

The spacing was problematic during the first games of the series, but the Celtics coaching staff had the resources to fix it — and they did. Spacing isn’t only about space; it’s about who is occupying which part of the court. The last drive of the first half is a great example of how little detail changes can optimize the spacing.

First, you have Jayson Tatum on the wing, one pass away from the ball on the right. All details matter. Having him one pass away forces OG Anunoby — the best stunt defender on the Knicks — to be dragged away due to Tatum’s gravity. Because he is on the right, that opens Brown’s best hand.

Derrick White is deep in the opposite corner to drag Mikal Bridges away too, so Karl-Anthony Towns is on an island. The last twist comes from Payton Pritchard’s positioning. He is in the corner, on the side of Brown’s strong hand. This is key because it makes Jalen Brunson the low man in the Knicks defense — not ideal.

At first, this might not look very different from the previous game, but there is a huge improvement in spacing. Thanks to that, the Celtics were able to create more shots at the rim from half-court situations.

They ended up with a 37% rim frequency, far better than the 25% average since they started the series against the Knicks.

#2 - Jaylen Brown post-up touches​

While the spacing seemed better, the Celtics also used what made them great during the regular season: the post-up — especially with Jaylen Brown.

Post-up touches can be tough for defenses to deal with because they force help in situations where defenders aren’t positioned as they usually are. Here, for example, look at Mitchell Robinson’s and OG Anunoby’s eye orientation and positioning. They are close to the paint and facing the ball, leaving a defender behind them.

Because of Brown’s scoring gravity from the post-up, it attracts defenders and forces them into situations where they can’t cover the ball, the basket, and their assignment. Here, because of Brown’s position vs. Brunson, the defensive structure is broken and that opens a 3-pointer.

The Knicks were really puzzled by this offensive approach because they couldn’t use their wing length as they usually do. On this other play, Bridges and Josh Hart are drawn so deep into the paint that both Kristaps Porzingis and Pritchard are left open from three.

The reason Brown has such gravity on these post-up touches is his ability to score or draw a foul from those positions. He was one of the most efficient post-up players in the NBA this season. Here, he gets deep position after setting a screen and scores over Bridges.

Great use of an offensive approach that we didn’t see enough in the first two games.

#3 - Payton Pritchard scoring explosion​

When the Celtics needed it the most, facing a 3-0, Payton Pritchard delivered what might have been the best Playoffs game of his career. He played more than 30 minutes, scored 23 points on good efficiency, and delivered two assists. His gravity and shooting activity helped improve the spacing. A versatile and impactful performance.

Versatile because he wasn’t only at the receiving end of offensive creation — he was part of it, sometimes even the initiator. Like his teammates, Payton can hunt mismatches. He attacked Mitchell Robinson to punish the Knicks’ switches. His ability to shoot off the dribble makes it tough for the center to stay connected, and he was able to score with a beautiful step-back beyond the arc.

He was dynamic — like in the play below, where he catches the ball and drives instantly. That’s very smart, because he punishes Miles McBride’s help positioning. With his shooting gravity and handle, he can adapt to the defense’s closeout and attack the weak spot. Here, he sees an opening for a drive. Watch how he times his dribbles and steps — McBride doesn’t know if he’s about to shoot or drive and can’t contain him. Once in the paint, he fakes two players and creates an open lay-up for himself.

Against Brunson, his drives can be very useful because they collapse the defense around the guard and leave other players open — like here, with Brown.

Great performance from the Sixth Man of the Year, who helped the Celtics find hope in New York.

#4 - Trying to get Porzingis going​

The Celtics are facing quite the dilemma with KP. The team is structurally at its best when he is on the floor. The spacing and rim protection — two of the most important components in modern basketball — are optimized with him on the court, despite how he’s performed. His size, length, and positioning will always make things difficult for opponents. Offensively, teams never leave him open, which creates space for his four teammates.

Yet, the Celtics also need him to perform individually and be able to do more than bring structural value. To win this matchup, they need him to score and impact the game with the ball in his hands. Therefore, despite mixed results so far in the Playoffs, they kept trying. Offensively, the goal is either to get him moving on the roll or to get a mismatch deep in the post.

The goal of finding deep position in the post — rather than the high post — is because defenses are now happy to concede long contested mid-ranges from the Latvian big man, even against a point guard.

On the roll, he can still be impactful because he’s easy to target with a pass above the defense. He’s smart enough to either pass or finish depending on the situation. On the example here, he finds Luke Kornet from the short roll after a well-executed pick-and-roll.

Only 18 minutes, yes, and no buckets scored. But nevertheless, his impact remains important for the Celtics’ offensive and defensive structure and gives Al Horford and Kornet time to rest. Getting him back up to speed might be the key that opens the door to the next round.

#5 - Playing off transition​

The Celtics’ defensive activity and focus felt better than in the first two games — especially from Jaylen Brown. This gave the Celtics more opportunities in transition. Off live-ball turnovers or offensive rebounds, they were deadly on the break.

Per Cleaning the Glass, Boston scored 2.25 points per possession in transition — a great sign of their determination to win the margins and capitalize on their good defense.

#6 - Taking advantage of the drop​

All the Knicks fans I talked to don’t understand why, at times in this series, the Knicks are asking Karl-Anthony Towns to drop instead of switch. Maybe they wanted to dare Jayson Tatum to shoot 3-pointers? Well — unlucky for them, because he was comfortable from the pull-up position yesterday.

The Knicks’ center started in a drop position, and it’s easy to see that Tatum recognized it quickly and didn’t hesitate. On the play below, with two screens on the ball for him, he sees KAT’s positioning and immediately pulls up from three because of all the space he has.

You could wonder whether that was a tactical adjustment or just a lack of focus and energy from the center. On another play later in the game, when he’s again in drop coverage, OG Anunoby seems desperate and signals to KAT that he should have been higher after the screen.

While the 3-pointers were falling for Jayson Tatum, a drive was still missing.

#7 - No half-court lay-up for JT​

Concerns about Tatum’s lack of rim pressure are still here after Game 3, where his only lay-ups came from transition or putback situations. Despite better spacing, he focused more on his jump shots, with nine attempts from beyond the arc and five from mid-range.

The three other attempts at the rim were missed, and it left me wondering if his wrist injury is bothering his driving game more than his jump shot. Let’s see how the series unfolds for him — but his inability to put pressure on the rim so far has been concerning.

#8 - Celtics pick-and-roll defense​

Boston’s inability to slow down the Jalen Brunson pick-and-rolls with Josh Hart was a bit alarming. This isn’t the first time I’ve noticed how the Celtics sometimes struggle on the pick-and-roll when there’s no big at the low man position.

In the first example, the Knicks run an empty side pick-and-roll, and the switch isn’t well executed. This leaves Hart rolling free to the rim, and no one on the weak side comes to help. Pritchard and Brown are too close to their matchup — and the same goes for JT.

Later in the game, another concerning possession on the same pick-and-roll — this time in the middle of the court. Al Horford is in drop coverage, but nobody tags the roll man, so Hart once again cuts to the rim without being bothered.

It’ll be interesting to monitor whether the Knicks insist on this offensive play to expose Boston’s defensive limitations — and how the Celtics will adapt.

#9 - Impressive rim protection​

Despite a few defensive collapses, the Celtics did an impressive job protecting the paint. The Knicks were limited to 44% efficiency at the rim — one of their worst marks of the season.

The Celtics were able to punish the Knicks for constantly having a non-shooting threat on the floor — whether Mitchell Robinson or Josh Hart. That allowed them to use Porzingis, Kornet, or Horford as a paint safety and protect the rim.

That’s also why the Knicks might run more pick-and-rolls with their non-shooters next game — to force the Celtics’ bigs away from the paint.

#10 - Fourth-quarter PTSD​

I have to admit, I didn’t feel safe in the fourth quarter when the Knicks were closing the gap and reducing the lead to 20. This matchup — because of the first two games — will never feel safe.

(insert tweet)

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...3-ten-takeaways-payton-pritchard-jaylen-brown

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics Daily Links 5/11/25

Jayson Tatum vs Knicks 5/10/25 | Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

All the Celtics news you need in one convenient place.

Herald Celtics embrace ‘darkness,’ blow out Knicks in much-needed Game 3 win​

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum shares candid perspective on spotlight​

Kristaps Porzingis comes off bench in Game 3 after ominous health report​

Globe Celtics rediscover range from beyond 3-point line in Game 3​

Payton Pritchard heeds call, finds mark from 3-point territory in Game 3 win​

Mazzulla, Thibodeau weigh in on Celtics’ strategy to hack Knicks’ Robinson​

Jalen Brunson admits Knicks might have felt ‘satisfied’ with 2-0 lead over Celtics​

Chad Finn: Some thoughts on the state of national NBA broadcasts​

Celtics stick with game plan, roll to Game 3 win over Knicks​

Payton Pritchard finds mark from 3-point territory in Game 3 win​

Celtics showed the poise of a champion in Game 3 win over Knicks​

Garden Party: Sorry, Timothée Chalamet ​

CelticsBlog Al Horford wants to stay with the Boston Celtics ​

Boston Celtics blow out New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, win Game 3, 115-93 ​

With the Celtics’ season on the line, Payton Pritchard set personal records (and showed what he’s made of) ​

Mazzulla points to margins in Game 3 win, but hot shooting fuels Celtics blowout ​

Jayson Tatum speaks to media scrutiny after Game 3 win ​

10 takeaways from Game 3 vs. the Knicks: Boston find answers, but questions remain ​

Celtics Green Comments from the Other Side - Knicks Game 3 5/10/25​

CLNS Media Celtics Familiar with Deficits Like 0-2 vs. Knicks: They Came Through Again ​

Celtics .com Keys to the Game: Celtics 115, Knicks 93​

Payton Pritchard Pushes Celtics to Bounce-Back Game 3 Win in New York ​

NBC Sports Boston INSTANT REACTION: C’s play with ‘controlled desperation’ in Game 3 win ​

Joe Mazzulla sums up Celtics’ mentality after Game 3 with epic quote ​

Jayson Tatum passes Kobe Bryant in NBA playoff history in Game 3 vs. Knicks ​

Payton Pritchard, Celtics’ role players outclass Knicks’ supporting cast in Game 3 ​

Celtics-Knicks recap: Payton Pritchard shines as C’s dominate Game 3​

NESN Colin Cowherd Floats This Blockbuster Celtics Summer Addition​

Celtics Rumors: How Al Horford Views NBA Future​

Ex-Celtic Rips ‘Wild’ Narrative Around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown​

Four Studs, Two Duds As Celtics Thrash Knicks In Pivotal Game 3​

Joe Mazzulla Embraces ‘Darkness’ In On-Brand Reaction To Celtics Game 3 Win​

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Sounds Off On Stardom Responsibilities​

Karl-Anthony Towns Injury: Knicks Star Tight-Lipped After Game 3​

Mass Live Boston Celtics coach explains intentionally fouling Knicks big man ​

Karl-Anthony Towns injury: Knicks center gives cryptic update after Celtics Game 3 loss ​

Joe Mazzulla makes savvy move to fuel Celtics Game 3 rout vs. Knicks ​

Did the Celtics solve their problems or just shoot better?​

Boston Celtics’ greatest strength could be ‘darkness’ after Game 3 win ​

Jayson Tatum offers honest response to critics after Knicks struggles ​

Payton Pritchard shows growing playoff value in Game 3 Knicks win​

The Athletic NBA playoffs results and takeaways: Timberwolves beat Warriors to take series lead, Celtics rout Knicks 115-93 ​

Celtics leave identity crisis behind in Game 3 win over Knicks​

Knicks had a chance to be on the right side of NBA history. Now they have questions ​

Payton Pritchard’s dream meets the moment in Celtics’ Game 3 win ​

Celtics Wire The Awesome, Dreadful, and TBD of the Celtics’ Game 3 win vs. Knicks​

Reacting to the Celtics Game 3 win over the Knicks in the East Semis​

Jaylen Brown after Celtics G3 win: You have got to beat us four times​

Celtics history: Howell, Siegfried, Bryant lost in ‘70 expansion draft​

Celtics jersey history No. 19 - Arnie Risen (1955-58)​

Celtics Joe Mazzulla on Sam Hauser: He’s getting better, he’s day-to-day​

Boston Sports Journal BSJ Game Report: Celtics 115, Knicks 93 - Shots finally fall as C’s get Game 3 blowout win​

Karalis: Celtics finally got back to being themselves, but there’s more work to be done​

Hardwood Houdini Pritchard seizes rare opportunity, Celtics top Knicks in Game 3 in his career night​

Jayson Tatum just gave Celtics fans upset about threes a brutal wake-up call​

Horford’s powerful quote about Tatum and Brown is everything Celtics fans need​

Everyone thinks they know why Celtics won Game 3 (they’re wrong)​

CLNS Media/YouTube Joe Mazzulla on Celtics Game 3 Win: “You just gotta tap into your darkness.” | Postgame ​

Jaylen Brown: “You got to beat us 4 times.” | Celtics Knicks Game 3 Postgame Interview​

Jayson Tatum: A Lot Comes With Being ‘THAT GUY’ | Celtics Knicks Game 3 Postgame​

Are the Celtics Back? | Garden Report from Madison Square Garden​

Al Horford: Celtics “had much better poise” in Game 3 | Media Availability​

Joe Mazzulla gives a Sam Hauser injury update | Media Availability ​

Luke Kornet Explains How Celtics Became DOMINANT Road Team | Media Availability ​

4 Encouraging Things About Celtics Game 3 Win vs Knicks | You Got Boston w/ Noa Dalzell ​

Sportskeeda Jaylen Brown: “Light this place on fire” - Joe Mazzulla’s strict instruction to Jaylen Brown surfaces before Celtics demolished Knicks in Game 3​

Athlon Sports Jayson Tatum Passes Kobe Bryant on Historic NBA List in Celtics’ Win Over Knicks ​

Knicks’ Postgame Behavior Turns Heads After Game 3 Loss to Boston Celtics ​

NBA Analysis Jaylen Brown says what he does better than Jayson Tatum and every Boston Celtics player, ‘that’s my job...’​

SI .com Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Sends Warning to Knicks​

Joe Mazzulla Gives Ominous Quote After Celtics’ Game 3 Win Over Knicks​

Boston Celtics Coach Defends Harassment of New York Knicks Center​

NBA .com Celtics-Knicks: 5 takeaways as Boston rights the ship in Game 3​

The Score Pritchard provides spark off bench as Celtics rout Knicks in Game 3 ​

Bleacher Report Joe Mazzulla Reacts To Celtics’ G3 Win vs. Knicks, ‘Just Gotta Tap Into Your Darkness’​

ESPN Celtics break out of slump, hit 20 3s to bury Knicks in Game 3 ​

Fadeaway World Jayson Tatum Gets Real On Criticism Coming With Being “That Guy” ​

CBS Sports Payton Pritchard steps up for Celtics in Game 3 win vs. Knicks, and it goes far beyond his 3-point shooting​

Fox Sports Celtics crush Madison Square Garden crowd with Game 3 rout over Knicks ​

Hoops Rumors Celtics Notes: Game 3 Win, Tatum, Porzingis, Pritchard, Mazzulla ​

Karl-Anthony Towns Suffers Hand Injury In Game 3 Loss​

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/11/24428157/boston-celtics-daily-links-5-11-25

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jrue Holiday has overcome 0-2 deficits before, but that’s not why he’s confident in Celtics

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

As Game 4 between the Celtics and the Knicks approaches, Holiday and the Celtics are on the same page regarding what needs to be done.

NEW YORK — When Jrue Holiday won his first NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, it wasn’t a seamless journey.

The Bucks trailed the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals 0-2, and then again to the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

Both times, they responded.

In turn, Holiday secured a title.

Four years later, Holiday exudes undeniable confidence when discussing whether the Celtics can similarly come back from a 0-2 hole that has resulted from two consecutive fourth-quarter collapses against the New York Knicks.

But, his assurance doesn’t stem from the fact that he’s done it before.

It stems from the reality that the Celtics’ confidence never wavered in the first place.

“I think that everybody on this team felt the same way about the first two games,” he said. “So I don’t think that was needed to be said. I think we all had the same type of energy. We all knew what was at stake, going down 0-2.”

I asked Jrue Holiday about whether he discussed with his Celtics teammates how his Bucks team successfully came back from 0-2 in 2021:

“You know, I think everybody on this team felt the same type of way about the first two games. So I don’t think that was needed to be said.” pic.twitter.com/MepdAMCDss

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) May 12, 2025​

Jrue Holiday and his Celtics teammates have responded to adversity before​

In 2021, Holiday and the Bucks won four of the final five games against the Nets, including a Game 7 overtime thriller. Against the Suns, the Bucks lost the first two games by double-digits, before rattling off four straight wins to bring Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years.

The Celtics’ core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, and Derrick White successfully rallied back from 3-2 series deficits in 2022 (against Holiday’s Bucks) and 2023 (against the Philadelphia 76ers).

And, in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, they forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 hole to the Heat (though they lost that game after Jayson Tatum infamously sprained his ankle in the game’s opening minutes).

“We’ve been through it,” Holiday said. “I don’t think we necessarily have to talk about it. I think everybody’s on the same type of time, and the same type of energy.”

Jaylen Brown echoed that same confident demeanor after Game 3 — while the outside world might be panicked at the Celtics’ circumstances, inside the locker room, there is a sense of calmness.

“You gotta beat us four times,” Brown said. “That’s what it comes down to — not twice, not once, not three times. Four games. So it’s a lot of basketball to be played.”

Jaylen Brown:

“You gotta beat us four times. That's what it comes down to — not twice, not once, not three times. Four games. So it's a lot of basketball to be played.”

(Q: @John_Karalis) pic.twitter.com/f7Rod4aTXz

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) May 10, 2025​

Part of the Celtics’ confidence also likely stems from the fact that they have led by 20 or more points in six of the seven times the two teams have faced off this season (three regular-season games and three playoff games).

The difference in Game 3 was that — unlike the first two games — they didn’t let up after building a commanding lead.

“When we got the lead, we sustained it,” Holiday said. “We sustained their punches, we tried to keep the energy low in here, and I think we did a good job of that when they tried to make their run.”

“The consistency throughout the whole game was different. We’ve been up every game, so being able to sustain that has been key for us, and it was key for us last game.”

And, part of the belief also comes from the understanding that the most legendary moments emerge when athletes’ backs are against the wall.

“You wouldn’t want to be in any other position as a competitor,” said Payton Pritchard after Game 3. “This is the best moment you can be in.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/12/24428612/celtics-knicks-game-4-jrue-holiday-shootaround-bucks

 

[Boston Celtics]

Worst case scenario as Celtics lose Game 4 to Knicks 121-113, Jayson Tatum leaves game

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Tatum goes down late and Boston goes down 3-1 in the series

In a must win Game 4 on the road, the Celtics needed to rise to the challenge. They were not able to as they lost to the Knicks 121-113, giving New York a 3-1 series lead.

Jayson Tatum did everything he could for Boston as he led the way for the Celtics with 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 16-28 shooting from the field and 7-16 shooting from three but it wasn’t enough as he went down with a severe injury at the end of the fourth quarter.

Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 39 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds on 14-25 shooting and 4-8 from three while Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby all scored 20+ points as well.

With the Celtics going down 3-1 and Jayson Tatum’s status unknown moving forward, their season might be over.

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics hot three-point shooting carried over to begin Game 4 as Derrick White started the game shooting 3-3 from beyond the arc and Boston opened up a 13-4 run in the first 3 and a half minutes courtesy of a Jayson Tatum coast-to-coast layup.

Coast to coast pic.twitter.com/QDqTTuz8oZ

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 12, 2025​

The Knicks responded to this hot start from Boston with a 10-3 of their own that forced Joe Mazzulla to call a timeout. OG Anunoby hit a three out of the timeout to give New York the lead but it didn’t last long as Derrick White hit his fourth three of the first quarter. Jaylen Brown committed his second offense foul of the first quarter with 3:20 to go and the Knicks were able to tie the game again on a Jalen Brunson floater and take the lead on a Mitchell Robinson alley-oop dunk.

The lead went back and forth in the last two minutes of the quarter, but it was Jayson Tatum that scored 11 points to end the quarter in the midst of a 16-4 Boston run that gave the Celtics a 39-28 lead after the first quarter.

Tatum scored 15 points on 6-8 shooting from the field and 3-5 shooting from three to lead the Celtics while White had 14 points on 4-4 shooting from three right behind him. The Celtics shot 13-19 (68%) from the field and 9-14 (64%) from three in the first quarter while the Knicks shot 12-23 (52%) from the field and 4-10 (40%) from three.

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The second quarter began with a Knicks injury report saying OG Anunoby hurt his hamstring, but that didn’t stop New York as they scored 7 straight points to open the quarter. The Celtics had a tough time stopping the Knicks double big lineup of KAT and Robinson as their paint defense and rebounding were lacking.

After getting elbowed in the face, Al Horford scored the Celtics first basket of the quarter on a three and Payton Pritchard made a smooth move for a layup, continuing his stellar play from Game 3. A Kristaps Porzingis put back dunk opened up a 9-0 run for Boston, forcing New York to call a timeout.

Kristaps Porzingis tip dunk pic.twitter.com/1tF3kQ84IZ

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) May 13, 2025​

Out of the timeout, the Knicks caught fire as Mikal Bridges scored four points and Deuce McBride hit a three that caused the Celtics to call a timeout quickly. Karl-Anthony Towns made a layup after a Brown missed three, but Jayson Tatum came back into the game and immediately hit a three in response.

Towns picked up his third foul with five minutes to go in the first half and Jaylen Brown started to make his mark after a slow start. He hit a corner three off of a nice play by Jrue Holiday and got to free throw line on the play after. New York had a ton of opportunities coming off of a bunch of offensive rebounds from Mitchell Robinson but couldn’t cut into Boston’s lead as the Celtics took a 62-51 lead going into halftime.

Tatum finished a huge first half performance with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks on 8-13 shooting from the field and 4-7 shooting from three. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 13 points on 4-8 shooting. Boston’s shooting was the difference maker in the first half as they shot 20-37 (54%) overall and 12-24 (50%) from three. The Celtics were also leading in the free throw battle as they shot 15 free throws but only hit 10 while the Knicks only shot 4. New York did have the advantage in the offensive rebounds department however as they had 8 in the first half that generated to 11 second chance points.

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Both teams began the second half trading baskets, but the Celtics rattled off an 8-2 run and a Jayson Tatum steal led to a Derrick White corner three that gave the Celtics their biggest lead of the night at 14 points and forced a Knicks timeout.

Jayson Tatum doing everything tonight... he gets the steal, which leads to a Derrick White three and a 14 point lead for the Celtics pic.twitter.com/CaTxnk8h7L

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) May 13, 2025​

Brunson came out of the timeout scoring 7 straight points for New York including Jaylen Brown committing a flagrant foul on a close out three while Bridges hit a fadeaway jumper to give the Knicks a 9-0 run. Derrick White answered with his sixth three of the night and a Jayson Tatum had a slam coming off his third steal of the night, but back-to-back layups by Brunson and KAT forced a Celtics timeout after the Knicks cut the lead to 6 points.

JT is everywhere pic.twitter.com/px2MnNUMuB

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 13, 2025​

Both teams traded baskets out of the timeout as Brunson and Tatum went back and forth. Brown picked up his fourth foul on a very questionable call and the Celtics lack of rebounding led to Brunson hitting another fadeaway that cut Boston’s lead to only 2 points. After a Celtics timeout, Brunson hit another shot to tie the game as Boston’s offense went cold.

Tatum hit two free throws in response, but Anunoby hit a three to give the Knicks the lead again and a Josh Hart layup gave New York an 88-85 lead after three quarters. Brunson and Tatum are leading both teams with 31 points but Boston blowing a 14-point lead in the third quarter was not an ideal situation.

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Both teams opened up the fourth quarter exchanging baskets, but Josh Hart picked up his fifth foul with 10:23 to go in the quarter and Jaylen Brown picked up his fifth foul with 10:16 left in the quarter. After Bridges scored his sixth point of the quarter, Jayson Tatum tied the game again with his sixth three of the game with 8:22 remaining.

Robinson responded with an alley-oop layup, but Tatum hit another three to give the Celtics the lead again with 7:17 left. Bridges responded with another midrange jumper and Anunoby made a layup to make it a three-point game again as the Celtics called a timeout with 6:32 to go. Out of the timeout, Tatum hit an and-1 layup to tie the game again, but Anunoby hit another three in response.

Holiday and Brunson traded layups with five minutes to go but Porzingis missed two free throws in response which led to Brunson making another fadeaway jumper to give the Knicks a 5 point lead with under four minutes to go and Bridges hitting another fadeaway jumper to make it a 7 point lead with 3:21 to go.

Out of a Celtics timeout, the worst case scenario happened when Boston turned the ball over for an easy Anunoby dunk and Tatum going down holding his foot in immense pain and couldn’t put any weight on it as he was lifted off the floor.

Jayson Tatum was injured on this play right here.

With that step back on the right and his reaction the fear would be for an

-Achilles Tear

Let’s hope the video lies pic.twitter.com/xCDoneZ8us

— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) May 13, 2025​

The series shifts back to TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday May 14th and with the Celtics season on the line, it will be the biggest of the series.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...ose-game-4-to-the-knicks-121-113-jayson-tatum

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics Daily Links 5/13/25

Jayson Tatum 5/10/25 | Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

All the Celtics news you need in one convenient place.

Herald Celtics teammates stunned by Jayson Tatum’s injury: ‘It didn’t look good’​

Jayson Tatum injury: Knicks stars share ‘prayers’ for Celtics standout​

With Jayson Tatum hurt, Kristaps Porzingis’ ‘super weird’ illness compounds Celtics’ problems​

Globe Tatum injury overshadows Celtics’ Game 4 loss: Takeaways​

The champion Celtics will fight on, but Jayson Tatum’s injury changed everything​

Sports stars and celebrities react to Jayson Tatum’s injury​

Jayson Tatum injury update: What we know about the Celtics’ star​

Garden Party: A disastrous night in New York​

Game 5 is Jaylen Brown’s chance to be ‘the man’ for Celtics​

CelticsBlog Celtics confirm worst with Jayson Tatum Achilles injury ​

10 takeaways from when it all slipped away in Game 4​

This one hurts​

Is this the end of an era for the Boston Celtics? ​

Jayson Tatum wheeled off, Celtics stunned, and a locker room silenced: inside a despondent night at MSG ​

Greatness doesn’t rupture ​

Celtics Green Just a Few Random Thoughts ​

CLNS Media Jayson Tatum Leaves With Injury Before Celtics Lose 121-113 in Game 4 ​

Celtics .com Keys to the Game: Knicks 121, Celtics 113 ​

Celtics Lose Jayson Tatum to Leg Injury in Game 4 Defeat ​

NBC Sports Boston Jayson Tatum injury: Players, fans react to Celtics star going down ​

Celtics-Knicks recap: Jayson Tatum injury underscores nightmare Game 4 for Boston ​

Jayson Tatum injury changes everything for Celtics with roster decisions looming ​

The Athletic Jayson Tatum injury is Celtics’ biggest concern, but minds must be clear for Game 5 ​

Wild NBA Draft Lottery night opens door to blockbuster trade possibilities ​

NESN Celtics Superfan Bill Simmons Reacts To Devastating Jayson Tatum Injury​

Jayson Tatum’s Injury Appears To Signal End Of An Era For Celtics​

Celtics Should Be Mindful Of Jalen Brunson’s Mindset For Game 5​

Al Horford Had This ‘Priority’ After Jayson Tatum Injury In Game 4 Loss​

Cooper Flagg To Celtics? Blockbuster Trade Idea After Jayson Tatum Injury​

Celtics Fans Dealt Another ‘What Could Have Been’ After Jayson Tatum Injury​

Mass Live Why surprise NBA Draft Lottery results are good news for Boston Celtics future ​

4 takeaways as Celtics lose to Knicks amid serious Jayson Tatum injury in Game 4 ​

Former teammates, NBA rivals lament ugly Jayson Tatum injury​

Everything Boston Celtics coach said on Jayson Tatum’s injury ​

Jayson Tatum’s injury leaves Celtics’ present, future looking bleak ​

Kristaps Porzingis reveals helpful illness update after Jayson Tatum injury​

Knicks share concern for Jayson Tatum after ugly Game 4 injury ​

Jayson Tatum injury almost made NBA pundit cancel his podcast​

What Jayson Tatum injury means for Celtics offseason possibilities​

Jayson Tatum injury: Boston Celtics ‘bracing for the worst’ (report) ​

Celtics Wire How drastic will the Celtics trim their roster this coming offseason?​

Celtics history: Harris born; Tatum gets 46 vs. Bucks​

Celtics jersey history No. 19 - Don Nelson (1965-76)​

The Great, Awful, and the TBD of the Celtics Game 4 loss to the Knicks​

Reacting to Jayson Tatum’s injury, Celtics Game 4 loss to Knicks​

Tony Allen on how defense helped the Celtics win it all in 2008​

Jayson Tatum’s Celtics teammates react to his Game 4 injury vs. Knicks​

Boston Sports Journal BSJ Game Report: Knicks 121, Celtics 113 - Tatum suffers apparently serious injury, C’s on verge of elimination​

Stunned by the loss of Tatum, the Celtics have no choice but to quickly move on to save their season​

Hardwood Houdini Tatum injury all but confirms Celtics are heading for brutal roster breakup​

Kevin Durant proof that Achilles injury wouldn’t be the end for Jayson Tatum​

Basketball comes second as Celtics process Tatum’s injury and Game 4 loss to Knicks​

Bigger than basketball: Knicks react to Tatum’s potentially franchise-altering injury​

CLNS Media/YouTube Mike Gorman EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Before Celtics vs Knicks Game 4​

Joe Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum’s INJURY in Game 4 | Postgame Interview​

Al Horford on Jayson Tatum’s INJURY in Game 4 | Postgame Interview​

Derrick White on Jayson Tatum’s INJURY | Postgame Interview​

Kristaps Porzingis on Jayson Tatum’s INJURY | Postgame Interview​

Jaylen Brown on Jayson Tatum’s INJURY | Postgame Interview ​

Jayson Tatum Goes Down with Potential Achilles Tear As Celtics Go Down 3-1 vs Knicks ​

Athlon Sports Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Under Fire After Jayson Tatum Injury​

Celtics Chronicle Boston Celtics: This One Hurts - by Adam Taylor​

NBA .com Celtics-Knicks: 5 takeaways as Knicks push defending champions to the brink ​

Fansided Have the Celtics ever overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the playoffs?​

SI .com Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics Are Facing Elimination After Game 4 Loss to Knicks​

New York Knicks Make ‘No Statement’ With Game 4 Win, 3-1 Lead​

Celtics’ Al Horford Offseason Plans Revealed​

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Sir Charles in Charge Jayson Tatum’s injury all but confirms franchise-changing offseason for Celtics​

The Sports Hub Celtics’ 3-point obsession about to kill their season ​

YouTube Joe Mazzulla On Hot Seat- If Celtics Lose Series?! ||The Greg Hill Show!​

BasketNews Joe Mazzulla hints at severity of Tatum’s injury: ‘He’s the type of guy who gets right up’ ​

The Ringer Jayson Tatum’s Injury May Have Ended This Celtics Era ​

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/13/24429618/boston-celtics-daily-links-5-13-25

 

[Boston Celtics]

The Tatum sized hole

David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Celtics are going to get a preview of what life is like without our superstar

As much as it seemed like the Celtics season ended as soon as Jayson Tatum was carried off the court, there’s still at least one game left to play. We’re about to get a taste of what life is going to be for the next year (or so) without him.

Tatum’s game 4 was a reminder of just how important he is to this team. It wasn’t just the 42 points. It was also the 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, and generally being right where he was needed. He was Roy Kent (He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere”). He’s not a perfect player, but he’s right up there in the top 4 or 5 best players in the entire league. And now for the foreseeable future, he’s gone.

Detractors of Tatum like to point out that he has a “superteam” around him. People who enjoy MVP race debates (which always bore me) love to get into long philosophical debates over “What would happen if you just take this player off that really good team?” Well, grab your popcorn folks, because that scenario is about to play out in Game 5.

I have some thoughts and predictions.

We’ll get a preview of what a team led by Jaylen Brown would look like. Sure, Tatum has missed the occasional game here and there. Most recently in game 2 of the first round. Noa point out that Brown stepped up bigtime in that win.

Jayson Tatum was sidelined for one game against the Orlando Magic while dealing with a right wrist bone bruise, and Brown was instrumental in the win, tallying 36 points on 12-19 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.

We’ll have to see how Brown fares against the Knicks tonight. He’s been slowed by nagging injuries, so it might not be completely fair to judge. But (barring a huge trade) he’s going to be the featured guy next season. He’s going to need to really focus on his playmaking and decision making process. He can’t get tunnel vision for entire quarters anymore.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

My guess is that Brown will put together a nice box score, if only because he’ll get a lot of touches, which can get you into a rhythm. He’s also a gamer who never shies away from a challenge. But he’s not equipped to do all the little things that Tatum can do. And there’s the trickle-down effect as well. If Brown is playing the Tatum role, who’s stepping up into Brown’s shot diet?

The obvious answer is more Derrick White. He’s the next best creator and I’m never mad at giving him more touches. But he goes from being a release valve and extra wave attacker to being a primary option. We’re also going to need to see a lot more touches go to Payton Pritchard (which might have been a good option earlier in the series).

I predict that there could be an increase in ball movement, at least early on. As great as Tatum is at making the right basketball plays, he sometimes goes into Mamba-mode at the expense of moving the ball around and bending the defense. With that said, sometimes moments in the playoffs boil down to finding the right matchup and exploiting it, and nobody on this team can do that as well as Tatum.

Not a prediction, but I hope we see a spirited effort from Porzingis. He’s the wildcard option you need in situations like this but thus far in these playoffs he’s been limited at best. If he can’t be effective, we have to lean even more heavily on Al Horford (again).

It will be interesting to see who picks up some of the rotation minutes. It might just be more minutes for the rotation guys. Does Baylor Scheierman make an appearance? Do we get some spot minutes from Torrey Craig? Perhaps a Queta appearance?

It isn’t hard to imagine the Celtics playing inspired ball and winning the game at the Garden tonight. If Brown is cooking, the ball is moving, White and Pritchard are bombing away from 3, and Jrue leads the way to an inspired defensive effort, we could certainly steal a game.

Regardless, it will be a very interesting game, defined more by a player not playing in it than the guys on the court. Something we’ll all unfortunately have to get used to.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...-tatum-sized-hole-boston-celtics-jaylen-brown

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics rout Knicks, stay alive with Game 5 win 127-102

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Boston forces a Game 6 behind a dominate second half performance.

The Boston Celtics returned home on the brink of elimination from the 2024-25 playoffs. Jayson Tatum’s injury had the national media already penning a Celtics obituary. However, the resilient Celtics survived in a scrappy, forceful and determined performance to force a Game 6 at Madison Square Garden and shift the weight of expectation back upon the Knicks with a massive 127-102 win.

With 10 points, 9 rebounds and 7 massive blocks, Luke Kornet was dominant in this one, as was Jaylen Brown, who had 26 points and 11 assists (a career high in assists). Derrick White led the C’s in scoring with 32 points, and Boston dominated the second half after the scores were level at the break.

The hope for Celtics nation coming into the game was that the C’s would keep their season alive for one additional road game, fueled by the glimmer of hope that they can overcome the daunting task of trying to win three straight games to progress into the conference finals. That dream looked closer

Mikal Bridges scored the first two-pointer of the game as he went to a fadeaway jumper over Holiday. Boston countered off a wide open corner triple from Derrick White. Holiday was active early on both ends as he spearheaded the Boston D to start the contest.

Derrick continued to pace the Celtics scoring, as he converted on his second three-pointer over a switching Karl Anthony Towns. Jalen Brunson did was he does best and attacked the Celtics back peddling bigs to score with a neat floater. Derrick White scored 9 of thew Boston’s opening 11 points as both teams were tied midway through the first.

Jaylen Brown coiled around a clever feed to the bench big, and Luke Kornet scored on his first touch of the game. The home crowd went into raptures after White’s fourth triple of the evening and a wide-open three by JB. The game began at a fast tempo, and Josh Hart subsequently drew blood after catching a stray elbow from Luke Kornet in transition.

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Sam Hauser finally returned to action for Boston late in the quarter, Torrey Craig also got an early look with minutes alongside a lineup of Pritchard, Kornet and Brown to round out the quarter. With Tatum out, Jaylen Brown shouldered more of the ball handling as he logged 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 5 points.

Hauser scored his first three-pointer off a Brown assist as the Celtics took a lead late in the quarter. However, Mitchell Robinson hit all 4 of his free-throw attempts to regain the upperhand, 32-30 after one. That marked the first New York Knick lead after a first quarter of the series.

Karl Anthony-Towns picked up his third foul of the game to start the second quarter and had to go to the bench, but the Knicks were getting good minutes from the bench with Mitchell Robinson and Myles McBride contributing on both ends to stretch the lead 40-32. Jaylen Brown attacked on the break to score layup past 2 Knicks. Al Horford nailed a corner three to get it back to 2 points, 42-40.

Chants of “Let’s go Celtics” rained down at TD Garden as Jaylen Brown got Boston back in the lead 46-44 on a three-pointer with a Knickerbocker draped all over him. Al Horford then dunked as he was left wide open in the key.

Hart hit consecutive threes, and for the home team White and Pritchard hit a pair of triples as both teams traded three-point buckets as the intensity was ramped up to the max. Jaylen Brown’s 15th point came on his third three-pointer to level things at 57 apiece. It wasn’t a pretty, but the scores were tied at 59 at the half. Boston was led by a tremendous Jaylen Brown half with 17 points, 7 boards and 6 assists, Derrick White had 19 points on 5-9 from distance.

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The start of the third quarter was highlighted by an early double-technical call, as Brown and Hart were whistled for a shoving altercation. Jrue Holiday muscled into the key for a layup followed up by Luke Kornet tipin. Jaylen Brown then picked Jalen Brunson’s pocket and dove into the Celtics bench to save the loose ball as last year’s finals MVP was leaving it all on the court for Boston.

Hart and White traded three-point baskets as the pace was frenetic to start the third, Boston up 69-67. Joe Mazzulla benched Kristaps to start the third and it was Luke Kornet who was providing better minutes in that double big role in this game. Brown drew KAT’s fourth foul and White drew Brunson’s third as the Celtics would play the final 8 minutes of the game in the bonus.

A Derrick White transition heat check three-pointer gave the hometown Celtics a seven point lead, 75-68, their biggest lead of the night. Jaylen Brown then picked up Jalen Brunson full court to force the All Star guard into a tough contested three-point missed shot.

Then, with an 81-70 lead, Boston’s defense was up to the challenge as Luke Kornet stopped Towns and Hart on consecutive plays. Unfortunately, Jaylen Brown missed both of his free throw tries. However, Boston extended the lead to 14 points when Sam Hauser came back into the game and made his second triple of the game right after.

A Jrue layup resulted from a nice give-and-go between Hauser and Holiday. After that, Brunson received his fourth foul of the evening when Jaylen Brown took the wheel. With two and a half minutes remaining in the quarter, White drove on Brunson once more after he received his fifth foul and was forced to sit. Luke was on fire for Boston, and Kornet’s sixth block of the evening was followed by a powerful slam.

Boston went into the final quarter up by 15 points in complete control. Luke Kornet was the star of the third, the bench big man had and dominate stretch of play, with 5 blocks, 4 rebounds and 4 points for the Celtics.

Al Horford gave the Celtics a 20-point lead to start the fourth, as Jalen Brunson returned to action for New York with 5 personal fouls. With nine minutes to go, Boston just had to hold on with a 20 point lead. Pritchard then nailed his fourth triple of the night, and Derrick White found the guard on the cut to layin his fourteenth point.

Brown then drove and dished to Holiday, as Boston went up by 23 points with seven minutes to go. Brunson then fouled out, as the Knicks could not match the Celtics toughness in this one. Luke Kornet then swatted Hart on a three pointer with his seventh of the evening. Boston closed it out strong at home with the starters getting a standing ovation.

The series now returns to Madison Square Garden for Game 6 on Friday.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...h-game-5-win-127-102-luke-kornet-jaylen-brown

 

[Boston Celtics]

Expert shares very encouraging insight about Jayson Tatum’s injury

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Tatum was able to do something few athletes have been able to do — get their Achilles rupture repaired the morning after the injury was suffered. That could make a massive difference when it comes to his recovery, according to UPenn’s Dr. Lou Soslowsky.

No NBA athlete wants to rupture their Achilles tendon. But Jayson Tatum is in a much better position than most to fully recover from this traumatic injury.

That’s because the 27-year-old Celtics superstar, who ruptured his Achilles in the fourth quarter of Monday’s Game 4 against the Knicks in New York City, underwent a successful surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) just hours after the injury occurred. According to multiple sources, the surgery was performed by one of the world’s leading Achilles tendon surgeons, Dr. Martin O’Malley, who also operated on Kevin Durant and Tiger Woods after they ruptured their Achilles.

To better understand this injury, CelticsBlog spoke with Dr. Lou Soslowsky, the founding director of the Penn Achilles Tendinopathy Center of Research Translation, an NIH-funded center created to specifically research Achilles tendon injuries and develop new treatments.

In addition to being a renowned expert in this field, Dr. Soslowsky also has first-hand experience with this injury — he tore his own Achilles tendon playing volleyball and returned to play just 7 months later.

And, he finds the fact that Jayson Tatum is 27 years old and able to get his Achilles repaired the morning after the injury to be hugely encouraging — and pretty unprecedented.

Jayson Tatum on IG: “Thankful for all the love and support” pic.twitter.com/n9nLkMO4bi

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 14, 2025​

Jayson Tatum was able to get his Achilles repaired at lightning speed ​

The number one thing that Dr. Soslowsky finds most encouraging about Tatum’s situation is that he was able to get operated on so quickly.

“That is really atypical — even for a professional athlete or a high-profile individual — that is atypical,” Soslowsky said. “So that is really wonderful.”

You might expect all NBA players to have endless resources at their disposal, and therefore be able to get an Achilles rupture repaired on a 12-hour turnaround. But, that’s not typically the case.

For context, Damian Lillard ruptured his Achilles on April 27 and underwent surgery on May 2nd. DeMarcus Cousins tore his on a Saturday night and had the surgery on Wednesday. Wesley Mathews tore his Achilles on a Thursday, and had the surgery six days later. Rudy Gay also had to wait five days.

Even Kevin Durant, who often serves as the poster child for what a successful recovery can look like, tore his Achilles on a Monday night and had the surgery performed on Wednesday.

Though these were all high-profile NBA players, it always takes time to put everything together to make the surgery possible, Soslowsky explained.

“Fifty percent of their time, they’re not in their home city, and the choice of which surgeon you’re going to have perform that operation is a conversation between the athlete, the agent, maybe the team, ownership, maybe colleagues or friends of the athlete,” he said. “And once those conversations happen, those conversations take a little bit of time. They don’t happen within the first half hour, right? They begin then, and then, once you settle on the surgeon, depending on what city that surgeon is in, it’s often not in the city that you’re in. So, there’s some time involved there. And then that surgeon may have a clinic day that day, and they may not have an operating day until the next day or two days later.”

Almost miraculously, Tatum just so happened to already be in New York City, where the Celtics faced the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. And, Dr. O’Malley was available.

That reality, coupled with the fact that Tatum is so young — most NBA players who have suffered this injury have been at least 30 years old — puts him in uncharted territory. It also means that the somewhat discouraging data that currently exists regarding players’ decline upon return from an Achilles rupture might not necessarily be applicable in Tatum’s case.

“There’s not a lot of data on recovery from Achilles tear for a 27-year-old at 12 hours post-tear, right?” said Dr. Soslowsky. “There’s no data, really, out there.”

Surgeons universally recommend operative Achilles tendon repair as soon as possible to restore functionality and reduce the risk of re-rupture. But, regular people have to wait days, if not weeks, to go through all the hoops and hurdles of getting a surgery on the books.

“You’re going to get infiltration of biologic agents and cells that will create the beginnings of scar formation,” Soslowsky said. “Because this repair was within a day, those processes had only just begun, and with a surgical pair, the torn ends were put right back together before a lot of these adverse biologic effects occurred. And so the opportunity for a faster recovery really is present.”

Still, Dr. Soslowsky doesn’t think that the Celtics will rush Tatum’s return

Dr. Soslowsky said that the return to injury spans from anywhere between 7 months to a year and a half, and it’s nearly impossible at this point to determine which of those scenarios is most realistic. In a few months, Tatum and the Celtics will be able to assess where he’s at in his recovery and determine whether he’s in a position to make a push to return next season.

“At some point in some months, we’ll get a much better idea of whether they’re going to try and get back next season or not,” he said. “If you want to be conservative, one would say, well, it’s probably a 12-month rehab anyway. Therefore, let’s let him sit out and give him the best shot during the following season. On the other hand, if in a handful of months he’s doing well, then there’ll be the push and pull to say, we can get him back next season.”

ESPN’s Marc Spears reported that Jayson Tatum’s father, Justin Tatum, expects his son to return to the floor in 8-9 months — which means there’s hope he would be available to lace up in February. But the Celtics offered no official recovery.

“I think the likelihood of coming back next season is pretty low, honestly,” Soslowsky said. “But in some ways that might be just as well, because we have seen when people do come back early, there certainly is a risk of relapsing. That would be catastrophic, that would be awful. And so that’s not something that one would want to risk. On the other hand, we’ll know in a few months how he’s progressing.”

Even after Tatum’s Achilles is fully recovered, he’ll have to undergo a substantial ramp-up period before he’s able to return to NBA basketball.

“One of the difficulties of Achilles tendon tear is that it’s difficult to remain to keep your cardiovascular levels high with an Achilles injury,” Soslowsky said. “Because you’re not running, you’re not riding a bike, you’re not doing anything for many months, and so even after the tear is healed, there’ll be some time before he’s ready to play at the level that he’s capable of playing.”

But, in many ways, Tatum is in a pretty unprecedented situation. And the way things played out in the aftermath of the rupture could prove highly beneficial.

“The fact that he did choose a surgeon — and there was availability to operate on him so quickly — gives him an excellent shot at an earlier-than-average, high-level athlete return.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...eltics-nba-playoffs-surgery-recovery-timeline

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics Daily Links 5/15/25

Payton Pritchard vs Knicks 5/14/25 | Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

All the Celtics news you need in one convenient place.

Herald Celtics crush Knicks without Jayson Tatum to force Game 6​

Callahan: Celtics show heart in what still feels like a lost Knicks series​

How surprise hero rescued Celtics in ‘unbelievable’ Game 5 performance​

How Jaylen Brown led Celtics on, off court after Jayson Tatum injury​

Derrick White filled Jayson Tatum’s scoring void in stellar Game 5 showing​

Celtics’ new ownership group finalized, sale commitments met​

Globe Celtics’ Luke Kornet turned TD Garden into a block party in Game 5​

Derrick White found range early, setting the stage for 34 points​

Knicks fans cautiously optimistic New York can eliminate Celtics​

Charles Barkley: Celtics can ‘win in New York’​

Everything went Celtics, besides Porzingis’s lingering illness​

Bill Chisholm’s Celtics bid has full funding, ownership group set​

How the Celtics won Game 5 vs. the Knicks and kept their season alive​

Luke Kornet was the Celtics’ Game 5 hero. Can he do it again?​

Bill Chisholm’s bid to purchase Celtics fully funded: Source​

There’s further concern over Kristaps Porzingis’s lingering illness​

Garden Party: WOOF WOOF ​

Celtics Green Comments from the Other Side - Knicks Game 5 5/14/25 ​

CelticsBlog Celtics rout Knicks, stay alive with Game 5 win 127-102​

Jaylen Brown leads the Celtics in Game 5 win ​

‘He was unbelievable’: an inspired Luke Kornet helped the Celtics keep their season alive ​

Nobody does it like the Celtics ​

Mazzulla on Porzingis: ‘he wanted to be out there’​

Derrick White can’t fix Jayson Tatum — but he followed his directive to save the Celtics’ season ​

10 takeaways from Game 5 that proved the Celtics are still alive ​

Expert shares very encouraging insight about Jayson Tatum’s injury​

CLNS Media Doctors Answer Questions About Jayson Tatum’s Achilles Injury​

Celtics Preview Life Without Jayson Tatum in Game 5 Win and Stay Alive ​

Celtics .com Keys to the Game: Celtics 127, Knicks 102 ​

Celtics Win Game 5 for Jayson Tatum ​

Photos: Knicks vs. Celtics - May 14th, 2025​

NBC Sports Boston Joe Mazzulla says Kristaps Porzingis ‘couldn’t breathe’ in Game 5 vs. Knicks ​

How Jaylen Brown, Al Horford rallied Celtics after Jayson Tatum’s injury ​

Luke Kornet’s best moments, funny interviews with Celtics ​

Luke Kornet helps save Celtics’ season with career night in Game 5 vs. Knicks ​

Jaylen Brown’s elite playmaking saves Celtics in Game 5 win vs. Knicks ​

Celtics-Knicks recap: Derrick White steps up as C’s stay alive with Game 5 rout​

NESN What Jayson Tatum Texted NBA Legend After Achilles Surgery​

What Jayson Tatum Told Celtics Before Game 5 Win Over Knicks​

Jalen Brunson Refused To Answer This Question After Knicks’ Loss​

Bill Simmons’ Big Claim About First Celtics Game Without Jayson Tatum​

Celtics’ Luke Kornet Jokes About Rare Request After Career Game​

Jayson Tatum Asked Father This Heart-Wrenching Question After Injury​

Celtics Teammate Had Hilarious Quote After Luke Kornet’s Huge Night​

Mass Live 4 takeaways as Boston Celtics beat Knicks in Game 5 to keep season alive ​

Boston Celtics coach explains Kristaps Porzingis benching in Game 5 win​

Celtics reveal Jayson Tatum’s pregame message after Game 5 win ​

Celtics channeled emotion to win for Jayson Tatum, that’ll be hard to repeat ​

Two trusty Boston Celtics veterans spoke to team after Jayson Tatum injury ​

Boston Celtics reserve posts unexpected career night in Game 5 win ​

Joe Mazzulla makes crucial tweak to spark Celtics Game 5 rout vs. Knicks ​

Celtics need to make vital Kristaps Porzingis decision after Game 5 win​

‘Why me, Dad?’ NBA insider gives glimpse into Jayson Tatum’s tearful phone call ​

Jayson Tatum’s dad offered to leave job halfway around the world after injury news ​

Stephen A. Smith crashes ESPN set to rant about threat of Tatum-less Celtics​

The Athletic From Jaylen Brown to Luke Kornet, Celtics show world there’s more basketball to be played ​

Knicks’ 3-point defense was disastrous in Game 5 loss to Celtics: Film breakdown​

Luke Kornet’s legacy game saved Celtics’ season with fate of franchise in the balance ​

Jaylen Brown, Celtics regroup to save season in Game 5: ‘We did it for JT’​

Celtics Wire Are major changes coming to the Celtics this offseason?​

Celtics alum Jeff Teague on IT, Dennis Schroder tiff in ‘16 playoffs​

Celtics history: Bing, KG, Russell named to Hall of Fame; Nelson born​

Al Horford shares thoughts on Tatum’s injury​

Have the Celtics reached the end of an era?​

Celtics optimistic after Tatum Achilles operation without complications​

Celtics batter Knicks at home to force Game 6​

The Superb, Dreadful, and TBD of the Celtics Game 5 win vs. the Knicks​

Celtics jersey history No. 20 - Earl Shannon (1949-50)​

Boston Sports Journal BSJ Game 5 Report: Celtics 127, Knicks 102 - Brown’s near triple-double, Kornet’s defense save season​

Luke Kornet rises to a challenge laid down by Celtics leaders, and the team lives another day​

Hardwood Houdini This season-saving Celtics decision was sparked by a terrifying Porzingis situation​

Jaylen Brown just turned disaster into triumph with stunning Game 5 takeover​

Mazulla points to one play that flipped everything for Celtics vs. Knicks​

Celtics rally behind Brown and Horford’s inspiration before season-saving win​

CLNS Media/YouTube Joe Mazzulla: Kristaps Porzingis “Couldn’t Breathe” | FULL Postgame Press Conference​

Derrick White on Celtics Game 5 Win, Playing for Jayson Tatum | FULL Postgame Press Conference ​

Luke Kornet on 7 BLOCK Game, What Jayson Tatum Told Celtics | FULL Postgame Press Conference ​

Jaylen Brown on Game 5 Win | Full Postgame Press Conference​

Garden Report: Can Celtics WIN SERIES vs Knicks?​

SI .com Joe Mazzulla Provides Update on Jayson Tatum After Celtics Star Undergoes Surgery​

New York Knicks Center Get Last Laugh on Boston Celtics​

Stephen A. Smith Compares Luke Kornet to NBA Legend​

Udonis Haslem Gives Luke Kornet Instant Miami Street Cred With Nickname​

Jayson Tatum Injury Causes NBA Great To Question Today’s Shoes​

Jaylen Brown Dedicates Celtics’ Game 5 Win to Jayson Tatum​

The Ringer The Luke Kornet Game and Tatum’s Road Back With David Jacoby​

Athlon Sports Luke Kornet Makes NBA History in Celtics-Knicks Game 5 ​

The Sports Hub Derrick White fills Tatum void in Celtics’ season-saving win ​

NBA .com Celtics-Knicks: 5 takeaways as defending champions keep season alive ​

ESPN Knicks falter with chance to close out Tatum-less Celtics ​

Tatum-less Celtics make ‘no excuses,’ rebound to beat Knicks ​

Fansided Celtics’ Jayson Tatum nightmare could end in a dynasty dream​

Jaylen Brown finally gets to prove he’s more than a sidekick​

Chowder and Champions Celtics Star Needs to Be Dropped From the Rotation to Beat Knicks​

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/15/24431119/boston-celtics-daily-links-5-15-25

 

[Boston Celtics]

What Jayson Tatum’s injury means for Jaylen Brown

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jaylen Brown has long expressed confidence in his ability to lead a team. Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear gives him the opportunity to stabilize the Celtics through his absence.

Jaylen Brown and Al Horford led a team meeting leading up to Celtics-Knicks Game 5. They wanted to refocus the team on the present moment, trying to come back down 1-3 in the series. They and Joe Mazzulla struck a balance between showing their concern and compassion for Jayson Tatum following his Achilles tear and identifying how they can win each remaining game.

“The air left the room after hearing the news with J.T., so we didn’t want to go out like that,” Brown said. “We didn’t want to make no excuses. We didn’t wanna come out and give up, or just turn the season in like everybody else would probably expect. So we just said to the guys, said to each other, ‘let’s come out, keep an open mind, come out, play basketball and be ready to go. And guard your ass off and take it from there.’”

The Celtics held Jalen Brunson to 7-for-17 shooting and the Knicks to 35.8% while saving their season. Brown scored 26 points with 8 rebounds and 12 assists, thriving in the lead role for Boston for the second time this postseason after posting a double-double in Game 2 against Orlando with Tatum out.

Tatum will miss much of next year for the Celtics following surgery, and Brown will receive an opportunity he’s long expressed confidence in filling. Brown will become Boston’s tone-setter, shot creator and leader through what could be a turbulent season.

First, he’ll try to complete the 14th comeback by a team trailing 1-3 in an NBA series. That’s all that occupied on Brown’s mind when he reached the podium on Wednesday night after an emotional Game 5 win. More often, he’ll become the last speaker on game nights, the one establishing the message for the Celtics and taking responsibility when things don’t go well.

A different play style already became evident in Game 5, increasing his drives by 1.5 over his playoff average, and seeing his touches increase slightly — from his average of 57.9 to 64. Yet he still deferred to Derrick White (75) and the team’s other playmakers without forcing it for himself.

“Just be who I am,” Brown said. “I think that’s it. Just be myself, come out, be aggressive and get it done in multiple ways. It’s a team, we’ve always been a team, I’ve always preached team, I’ve done whatever to push this team forward. So whatever’s needed from me — I’m excited to be able to facilitate in whatever role, so it could change each game, each night, defensively, offensively, but the goal is to just lead, to be myself.”

Brown has long discussed his need to sacrifice to play on a team as talented as the Celtics. He expressed confidence in succeeding with the opportunity to lead his own team. But he’s also acknowledged that the grass isn’t greener, and embraced having the chance to win by leading alongside Tatum. And that involved sometimes taking a back seat offensively. Both stars made concessions to fit Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday into the team upon arrival.

He also signed a five-year contract extension in 2023 that made him the sixth highest-paid player in the NBA this season. That contract came with some scrutiny, particularly following his collapse in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Miami.

Signing two super max contracts would challenge the Celtics’ ability to build around Brown and Tatum. But it also ensured they retained both players and their diverse skill sets, impacts and personalities. And if one ever went down — the other could pick up the slack.

“Just continuing to be aggressive,” Brown said. “Continuing to trust in my game and my development. Tonight, we were able to find a flow, a rhythm in the game. We played with a different pace. Defensively, we got stops ... just mindset, mentality, next play, faith, consistency and hard work pays off.”

Difficult decisions await this summer for the Celtics. They’re already $4-million over the second apron line, $22-million over the tax threshold and facing a $500 million payroll if they retain their signed players and fill out the rest of the roster. It’s possible multiple teammates depart this summer, further stripping the team beyond the impact of Tatum’s injury. The superstar’s ability to thrive in a variety of lineups, including some that never played together previously until late this season, remains one of the greatest luxurious regarding his impact.

Brown-led lineups have shown more mixed results over the seasons before to his recent uptick in playmaking. There’ll be times where he steps off-ball and leaves other playmakers like Payton Pritchard to carry the offense, and that led to a series-high 284.4 passes per 100 possessions. Brown increased his passing share from 32.1 to 37 in Game 5. He provided the vintage play of the win, diving into the Celtics’ bench after stripping Brunson. With Tatum out, Brown commanded the most important defensive matchup. Sam Hauser, returning from injury, saw that as a tone-setter.

“Jaylen’s the ultimate competitor, warrior mentality,” he said. “You can trust that when you go into a battle, he’s gonna be up front leading by example and by his voice. So when a guy’s doing that, picking up full court, making big time plays on the offensive end, it’s hard not to follow.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...oston-celtics-achilles-game-6-new-york-knicks

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics eliminated from playoffs after Game 6 loss, Knicks win 119-81

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Boston’s season started against Knicks, and it comes to an end in New York.

It was always going to be an uphill battle after the Celtics fell behind 3-1 in the series. That climb became even steeper with the devastating news that Jayson Tatum had ruptured his right Achilles. Despite a strong Game 5 win over New York in Boston, the Celtics couldn’t finish the job on the road, losing to the Knicks 119-81.

Boston started Game 6 on their back foot, opening with two turnovers and three missed shots. Jaylen Brown finally got the Celtics on the board with a straightaway three-pointer just over nine minutes into the first quarter. A Jrue Holiday steal led to a Brown layup that gave Boston its first lead, 5–4, at the 8:36 mark.

But momentum quickly swung back to the Knicks. A Mikal Bridges corner three sparked a 7–0 run and forced a Celtics timeout with 7:04 remaining in the quarter. Boston shot just 2-for-10 from the field over the first five minutes.

Looking for a spark, head coach Joe Mazzulla made a triple substitution midway through the quarter, bringing in Kristaps Porziņģis, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser. Boston was 3-of-14 from the floor when Brown converted an and-1 to cut the Knicks’ lead to 13–10.

With 4:34 left and the Knicks in the bonus, the Celtics turned to a “hack-a-Robinson” strategy. Mitchell Robinson, who shot well from the line in Game 5, hit 1-of-2 before being subbed out for Karl-Anthony Towns.

Porziņģis tied the game at 16 with a straightaway three, then immediately made his presence felt on the defensive end, blocking Towns’ next attempt—followed, predictably, by a Towns protest to the officials.

Kristaps Porzingis with a 29 feet 3-pointers and a block on the other end... but so far it hasn't been really convincing... without being problematic. pic.twitter.com/ryvoTc24PS

— Azad (@azmatlanba) May 17, 2025​

New York responded with an 8–0 run in the final minute of the quarter, capped by a pair of threes, to take a 24–16 lead. Brown sliced the deficit to six with a euro-step layup just before the buzzer, and Boston trailed 26–20 after one.

The Knicks opened the second quarter with another 7–0 run, prompting another Mazzulla timeout. Boston was 8-of-26 from the floor at that point, with Brown (13 points on 5-of-8 shooting) the only Celtic to make more than one shot.

Brown’s been solid but some really tough plays so far and this has been the toughest. Gotta get this shot off pic.twitter.com/vquldsSQhh

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) May 17, 2025​

Second-chance points continued to plague Boston. According to MassLive’s Brian Robb, the Knicks secured offensive rebounds on 47% of their missed shots.

Knicks are grabbing offensive rebounds on 47 percent of their misses so far.

— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) May 17, 2025​

New York’s 33–20 advantage was its largest lead of the series to that point. Boston shot just 2-of-7 to open the second quarter, including 0-of-4 from three, and the deficit ballooned to 16 with under seven minutes remaining in the half.

The Knicks pushed the lead to 20 after back-to-back and-1 finishes from Josh Hart. Momentum was squarely with New York, and Boston’s cold shooting only energized the Madison Square Garden crowd.

just witness the difference in execution and energy

two offensive boards and a transition block from the Knicks while most of the Celtics are standing

thanks for the memories but I think that's good night pic.twitter.com/gOSa428Ffb

— Azad (@azmatlanba) May 17, 2025​

Miles McBride’s three-pointer just before halftime put an exclamation point on a dominant first half, sending the Knicks into the break with a 64–37 lead.

Boston managed only 17 points in the second quarter and got virtually nothing from its backcourt duo of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, who combined for just six points on 2-of-14 shooting, along with two turnovers.

Jaylen Brown was the lone bright spot offensively, finishing the half with 18 points and three assists. But even he wasn’t immune to mistakes—Brown committed six of Boston’s first-half turnovers.

As bad as the Celtics offense has been, and it's been plenty bad, the defense is right there too. Knicks are getting whatever they want.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 17, 2025​

The Celtics went from trailing by 27 to down 32 in just over a minute to start the second half.

Derrick White finally showed signs of life, hitting back-to-back threes to trim the deficit to 26 with 9:46 remaining in the third quarter.

Moments later, a missed kick-ball call led to a Mikal Bridges layup, followed by an offensive foul on Jaylen Brown. On the next possession, Jalen Brunson drained a three, prompting another timeout from Joe Mazzulla.

It was one of those nights—Boston came out flat on both ends, and the Knicks capitalized. New York executed its game plan to near perfection, shooting efficiently and pushing the lead as high as 41 in the quarter.

Jaylen Brown fouled out with 2:50 left in the third. He finished with 20 points, six assists, six rebounds, and seven turnovers.

Mazzulla emptied the bench shortly after, pulling the remaining starters and giving minutes to deep rotation players and end-of-bench guys.

New York carried a commanding 92–57 lead into the fourth.

Despite the margin, the Knicks kept their starters on the floor well into the fourth quarter, continuing to dominate the glass. That effort led to second-chance opportunities and open threes, which they consistently knocked down.

This is VERY over and the Knicks really need to empty the bench. You have the biggest games coming. No need for a single rotation guy to be out there still, never mind checking back in.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 17, 2025​

In a season where hopes of a repeat were real, tonight was a harsh reminder: winning a championship is incredibly difficult—and sometimes, you just need a little luck.

Boston entered the playoffs healthy, but injuries piled up quickly. Jayson Tatum suffered two different injuries, Kristaps Porziņģis came down with an unexplained illness, and Jrue Holiday strained his hamstring in Game 1. Those aren’t excuses—they’re just the reality.

As disappointing as this loss is, it’s worth remembering that until someone else hoists the trophy, the Celtics are still the reigning champions.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...-loss-new-york-knicks-win-119-81-jaylen-brown

 

[Boston Celtics]

Al Horford addresses uncertain future with Celtics after elimination to Knicks

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Less than a day after the Celtics’ blowout loss to the New York Knicks, Horford spoke to reporters about his looming free agency status for the first time in months.

BOSTON — Al Horford wasn’t ready to talk about the future as he sat down at the Auerbach Center podium, less than 24 hours removed from a blowout loss to the New York Knicks that prematurely ended the Celtics’ season.

“For me, it’s just too soon to talk about that stuff,” Horford said of his looming free agency. “I’ll take some time here with my wife, with my kids. It’s not even been a day. There’s still a lot for me to process, just feeling everything out from last night. That was difficult.”

Al Horford on if he plans to continue playing and if he hopes to return to the Celtics:

“For me, it’s just too soon to talk about that… it hasn’t even been a day. So there’s still a lot for me to process.”

Q: @RealBobManning pic.twitter.com/XVqs52xhS9

— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) May 17, 2025​

This past year, Horford averaged 9 points per game on 42.3% shooting, including 36.3% from three. His efficiency improved in the postseason, as he averaged 8 points on 47.2% shooting, including 40% from three.

And, though he was often hunted defensively, he continued to hold up as one of the premier big man defenders in the league. Once again, with several players in the Celtics’ rotation injured, he proved himself to be one of the most dependable and durable players on the roster, and ultimately ended up starting all but two postseason games.

But, perhaps even more important than his on-court impact has been his steady presence in the locker room.

“You can’t replace Al,” said Payton Pritchard. “So, I definitely hope we get that figured out. Because his locker room presence alone is just crucial, and then having him on the court. For all the young guys, just to see how he goes about his business, how professional he is. He’s just a leader.”

Horford was nominated for the NBA’s Teammate of the Year Award for the second consecutive season. He ultimately didn’t win the award — but in his teammates’ eyes, it didn’t matter.

“Al’s about as good a teammate as I’ve ever seen,” Luke Kornet said. “Honestly, the best one I’ve ever seen.”

If his teammates have anything to do with it, the 38-year-old will be back in green next year​

Sam Hauser said that Horford was instrumental in shaping his development as a young player on the Celtics. Now, as Hauser navigated his first season as a young father, Horford has continued to serve as his blueprint.

“My first two years, I watched him from afar a lot,” he said. “I don’t even know if he knows this, but I took a lot of mental notes about how he operated on a day-to-day basis. He’s got five kids at home — he’s got to be really efficient when he’s here, but he’s always in early, getting his pr court and getting his rehab in, getting his treatment in, getting his shots up, doing whatever it takes to be prepared on the court, but also knowing that he’s got to be a father at home too for five kids. Now having a kid — just one — it’s a lot.”

Horford, who signed a two-year, $20 million contract extension in 2022, is now a free agent. He previously maintained he wasn’t planning on retiring this season. But Jayson Tatum’s Achilles rupture threatens to keep him out of all of next year, and it’s uncertain whether Horford’s desire to remain in Boston could be impacted by the franchise cornerstone’s injury.

The players who are under contract desperately hope to get the chance to run it back with their veteran leader.

“We definitely need him back,” Pritchard said.

In addition to Horford, Kornet is also a free agent this summer. On top of that, it’s been widely reported that the Celtics could make a series of trades to reduce next year’s historic payroll, meaning that the statuses of other players on the roster could also be uncertain.

“It sucks,” Derrick White said after the Game 6 loss. “You’ll never get this season back. You’re never going to have the exact same team again.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...ltics-sam-hauser-payton-pritchard-luke-kornet

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jaylen Brown’s knee injury was more serious than publicly known [Report]

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Brown has been playing through a partially torn right meniscus, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne.

Jaylen Brown finished the season with a partially torn right meniscus, ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne reported on Saturday. He will be evaluated this week to determine if surgery is needed.

Brown missed the final three games of the regular season, but played in all 11 playoff games, averaging 22.3 points and 7.2 rebounds in 34 minutes a night. ESPN previously reported that he began receiving pain injections in his knee in March.

He declined to discuss his injury in detail throughout the postseason. On the Celtics’ injury report, the injury was officially deemed a right knee impingement. Brown said ahead of the second-round series against the Knicks he believed he was nearing 100%.

“I think I’m starting to turn the curve,” Brown said. “Structurally, everything is fine. I’ve had some other stuff going on, but I think I’m kind of trending in the right direction.”

Still, it was obvious that he was athletically limited and unable to explode the way he normally does throughout the postseason. His best performance of the postseason came in Game 5, when he posted 26 points and 12 assists just two days after Jayson Tatum went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

“I don’t make excuses,” he said after the Game 6 loss. “Obviously, it’s tough the way we went out like tonight, but the way we finished the year, personally, the way I finished the year, persevering through some physical stuff that I was battling through, I’m proud of our group.”

Brown first began dealing with a right knee injury in mid-February, missing two games leading up to the All-Star break. He mostly pushed through the knee pain in the second half of the season, but sat out to rest his knee in the final three games of the year.

Now, he’s one of several Celtics stars with uncertain offseason health. Tatum underwent surgery for his ruptured Achilles tendon on Tuesday and is expected to miss most if not all of next season, while Kristaps Porzingis continues to battle lingering effects from a viral illness.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/17/24432294/jaylen-brown-knee-injury-celtics

 

[Boston Celtics]

Catch Game 7 of Nuggets vs. Thunder in the CelticsBlog Playback room

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

It’s do or die for Denver and OKC.

Sadly, for the first time since the 2020-2021 season, the Boston Celtics will not be participating in the Eastern Conference Finals. That doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the rest of the playoffs, starting with a Game 7 showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Catch the action in the CelticsBlog Playback room.

Download the Playback app today and be part of the conversation as the action unfolds.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...he-celticsblog-playback-room-nikola-jokic-sga

 

[Boston Celtics]

Which guard is more likely to be moved this summer? Marc Stein has a projection

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Change is coming in Boston this summer

Get ready for a long summer of NBA trade rumors circling around the Boston Celtics and their very talented but very expensive roster. It seems pretty clear that change is coming in Boston. The question remains, which players are most likely to be on the move (and who will the team prioritize keeping around)?

Marc Stein reports

The Celtics’ precise determination to keep their various veterans is difficult to calculate so soon after the defending champions’ Round 2 exit to the Knicks in six games and the devastating loss of Jayson Tatum to an Achilles rupture, but the early projections in circulation suggest Boston is more apt to make Jrue Holiday available via trade this offseason than Derrick White. Most rival teams continue to regard Kristaps Porziņģis as the most movable Boston vet thanks to the Latvian big man’s $30.7 million expiring contract.

I fully endorse the theory behind keeping Derrick White around. That’s not to diminish the contributions of Jrue Holiday in any way. In a perfect world I’d love to see him stick around and retire in Boston green and white. However, he’s better suited to contribute to a contending team at this point and the Celtics probably don’t fit that description next season. By the time the 2026-27 season rolls around, Jrue will be 36 years old.

Porzingis was always more of a luxury and “cheat code” when he was healthy enough to contribute. The reason he was available at all was because of his history of missing time, and that continued in Boston as well. Still, some contender is likely to want to roll the dice with his expiring contract and high upside next season.

Stay tuned on CelticsBlog for more throughout the offseason.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...n-jrue-holiday-derrick-white-nba-trade-rumors

 

[Boston Celtics]

Sports vs. Real Life

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Perspective is everything.

I watched the first half of the Celtics’ Game 5 triumph in the 2024 NBA Finals from a hospital room in Cleveland.

I was there with my father-in-law, himself a lifelong Celtics fan.

The lights were turned down throughout the hospital and since he needed the rest, my wife and I quietly departed shortly after Payton Pritchard's buzzer beater. On my way out, I told Ren, “The next time I see you, the Celtics are going to be world champions.”

At home, my wife and I watched the rest of the game, and it played out to expectations. The Celtics did indeed win their 18th championship, and we stayed up for the celebrations and awards. We watched as Brad Stevens tried desperately to disappear into the throng on the makeshift podium where Jaylen Brown won his Finals MVP. We ate Mexican delivery during the interviews conducted while janitors swept up the celebration in the background.

Then we went to bed and the next morning I got up and dropped my wife off at the hospital while I did something or another (grocery shopping, I think) because we’d been in Cleveland for a while already and we didn’t know how long we’d be there.

I came back to the hospital and found a cluster of white coats in conference outside the room my father-in-law shared with another patient.

When I got in, I was ready to start chattering about the C’s victory, but Angie stopped me short and motioned toward her phone. “We got some bad news,” she said, and she was on the phone with her sisters and brother.

The cancer that Ren was fighting had spread to a point where the medical staff could no longer treat it, and they were trying to make arrangements for hospice care back home.

My father-in-law’s back was also breaking down and he had been fighting the pain for a couple years, to such an extent that seven daily doses of a narcotic painkiller and two fentanyl patches barely put a dent in it.

Rather than discuss the diagnosis, we tried to divert our attention with some coverage of the Celtics win the night before, but the pickings were pretty slim. We sat through about half an hour of Pat McAfee droning on about something or another that wasn’t Boston-related before tuning out.

It turned out that arranging hospice care back home wasn’t necessary. My father-in-law was tired of fighting the pain and the cancer, and he spent most of the next few days sleeping.

By Thursday night it was clear that there wasn’t much time left. I went to a home that had been graciously lent to us for as long as we’d need it because there was no place to sleep in the clinic and I had gotten so tired I was tripping over the metal joints in the hospital’s terrazzo floor.

I got an urgent call from my wife just after six, but by the time I got to the room there was another cluster of white coats outside the door and I knew I was too late.

Around the time the most dedicated Celtics fans were staking out prime positions on the parade route, my father-in-law passed away.

---

I’ve often heard sports described as a metaphor for life, but I don’t think that’s true.

Sports are an escape from life.

One of the first things you do in any sport is define a boundary to the game within which real life is not allowed to intrude.

Some sports take this to an extreme. Baseball, for example, is to be carried out under almost platonic conditions. The arrival of even the slightest dose of actual weather sees players scurrying for their sheltered dugouts to either wait out nature’s tantrum, call the game, or postpone it for a sunnier day.

But every sport has strict rules designed to keep reality at bay.

Those boundary lines are lines that you, a representative of the real world, cannot cross.

Nothing will get you a greater dose of disapprobation from your seatmates and alienate you from people you thought of as fellow fans faster than actual interference in the game at hand.

Throwing stuff from the real world into the field of play is a cardinal sin.

Sports also have a timeless quality, so much so that we actually entertain conversations about whether Michael Jordan was as good as LeBron James. This is only possible because the game has, at least at first glance, barely changed over the past 40 years.

Most college rivalries are over a hundred years old. The first game between Harvard and Yale was played in 1875, just ten years after the end of the Civil War.

I’ve written elsewhere about how I inherited my Celtics fan credentials—along with male pattern baldness—from my father. And I’m not the only one that’s inherited a team allegiance.

Saying that fans of a team are just rooting for laundry has some truth to it, but it obscures the fact that teams have continuity from their first season of competition right up to this season, and, as always, ‘next season.’ That’s what keeps fans engaged — it’s not the uniforms, it’s the continuity, the mystical notion that there’s some sort of there there that stays the same.

That’s not how life works.

There’s nobody left that remembers the first game of the Harvard/Yale rivalry, but the rivalry is still there.

The Celtics are just 79 years old, so there are a fair number of folks out there that still remember the first years of the franchise, even if they were just kids at the time. But that number isn’t going to get larger, it’s only going to get smaller.

Eventually, the first year that Boston played basketball will no longer exist in memory. It will reside only in newspaper archives and record books. But the Celtics will still be there, with a history that stretches back beyond the reach of anyone alive. They will have become a sort of fixture, an institution, something that exists in the ebb and flow of real life, but also, somehow, outside of time and untouched by it.

Then there’s the magic of ‘next season.’

No matter what happens this season, sports always promise us another. We can always look forward to something new coming down the line. It’s a chance for improvement and a fresh start for teams that disappointed us.

However, the real world will eventually rob all of us of our ‘next season.’

But sports help us to forget that.

Sports block off the real world and substitute its rules for a different set—one that’s much simpler and much less ambiguous. Basketball is played on a small rectangle with an assortment of lines that have an assortment of meanings. If there’s anything in that rule book that resembles the complicated and often messy world beyond the out-of-bounds lines, it’s hard to see.

Games, even cricket games, have a defined start and a defined end and the outcome is clear and unambiguous. Baseball has its walk-off homers. Basketball has its buzzer-beaters. Soccer has its golden goals. These are decisive moments that have no real-world equivalent. There are no rules for assigning winners and losers in the real world, nor would the world be a better place if there were.

Yet some of the best moments in sport come when the real world breaks through.

An unnamed but brilliant camera operator for ESPN was crouched by the side of the court when the Celtics clinched the NBA championship last June.

The camera was focused on Jayson Tatum’s son, Deuce, and when the game was over and the confetti began to fall, we got to see the moment Tatum came over and hoisted Deuce skyward while Deuce said a single word: “Daddy!”

It was an amazing moment. Tatum’s joy in victory spilled over to the real world, in the delight of Deuce. In that instant it didn’t matter that basketball is, in some ways, a very silly game. What mattered was that the Tatum had played the game according to its rules, had won its ultimate prize, and shared the moment with his son.

And even when joy does not spill over, sport can be a source of hope with its promise of ‘next season.’ Baseball is probably better at this than any other major sport.

There’s something about that pristine look and the simple shapes of a baseball field when the sun is shining, especially on Opening Day, where every team’s record is 0-0, and for at least a moment, anything seems possible on that dark green grass, with its brilliantly white foul lines and bases set in the rich brown dirt of the infield in spring.

In that moment, every fan, even the most jaded, even the most cynical fan who’s been burned by his team year after year, has a glimmer of hope, a fleeting burst of goodwill toward all and a belief that maybe this year…

How quickly that hope lasts depends a lot on the team, and a little bit on the fan, but it’s always there for a moment at least. Once you lose the ability to feel that hope, once that goes away, you stop being a fan.

Sports give us a chance to be a part of something bigger than ourselves—and that’s something that we, as humans, seem to need. I remember going to a pub across the street from the Target Center with my brothers and my dad. We were going to watch the Wolves play the Celtics and the establishment, an ersatz Irish one, was jammed to the gills with Celtics fans, some of whom already knew each other, and others who were meeting for the first time.

What brought them together was their shared escape. All of them were headed across the street to spend two hours detached from the real world and focused entirely on a make-believe world where putting the ball through the hoop counts for one point sometimes and three points sometimes and two points sometimes for no better reason than a common agreement that This is How it Should Be.

Viewing sports as a metaphor for life misses the point. We don’t watch sports because they remind us of the real world; we watch because these games take us out of it. Games are just that, games. They are play. They take us away from the problems we’re facing, from the challenges and difficulties of a complex and ever-changing world and give us something timeless and simple instead.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/18/24396062/sports-vs-real-life-boston-celtics

 

[Boston Celtics]

The weight of the wait

Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

With the season over, the Celtics reflected on the past, present, and future of the team on Saturday.

After fouling out in the third quarter, Jaylen Brown had given everything he had.

Despite 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, the Knicks were up 35 and the Celtics’ season was effectively over.

“Losing to the Knicks feels like death,” Brown said after elimination. “But I was taught that there’s life after death. So, we’ll get ready for whatever’s next.”

Right now, the “whatever’s next” is a big question mark. Jayson Tatum may not return from an Achilles rupture until next next season. Brown didn’t disclose a meniscus tear that he’s been dealing with since March and he could potentially have offseason surgery. Rumors and speculation are swirling that Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Sam Hauser could be cap cuts with second apron penalties on the near horizon.

After just a day to process the loss and the end of their back-to-back bid, the team returned to Boston and several players addressed the media with questions about their collective future together.

Holiday put it bluntly.

“We had a pretty good regular season,” Holiday said. “Obviously, took care of business there with a 60-win season [with] everybody fairly healthy...I just felt like we fell short.”

With the sting of a second-round exit — just like every championship team’s fate since 2019 — still fresh, it’s easy to forget just how impressive this squad has been over the past two seasons. It took over fifteen seasons for the Celtics to record back-to-back 60-plus wins. If it weren’t for the new collective bargaining agreement and its restrictions, it wouldn’t be inconceivable to run it back again.

We still have a really, really great opportunity and a great window to be successful and win a championship again,” Holiday continued.

“I don’t look at it as a failure. I don’t look at any situation like that as a failure,” Pritchard said. “A failure is only when you stop trying to compete for something, striving to be your best.”

“I think that we had the best team in the league. Obviously, we did it last year, but the chemistry that we built last season and then coming into this postseason and how we were feeling, I feel like we are disappointed in ourselves, and we let the organization down and the city down.”

For the veteran who has won two championships in two different cities, he has a keen awareness that opportunities like this can be fleeting. Payton Pritchard offered a more big picture perspective though.

“I look at it like the Spurs. You consider them like a dynasty. They never went back-to-back, but since they never went back-to-back — all those years that they didn’t win, are they a failure or did all those years help them win the next championship?,” Pritchard offered. “It’s about attacking the next year and the year after that and never giving up on trying to achieve being on top of the mountain again.”

If next season does turn out to be a gap year like many have suggested including CelticsBlog’s Jeff Clark, don’t be surprised if we don’t see either of the Jays on Opening Night. Players deeper down into the rotation could see more minutes early. Pritchard, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, could see himself thrust into the starting rotation. Hauser could use the summer to heal from the back issue that plagued him all year and continue his improvement attacking close outs and becoming more than just a wing shooter. After years in development, it’s time to find out what Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and even JD Davison can bring to the team.

However, the cold reality is that the CBA was built to dismantle dynasties. If Brad Stevens elects to go young, Boston’s aging core could soon be out the door. The Warriors and Nuggets know that lesson all too well after Klay Thompson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Bruce Brown left their respective teams as cost-cutting departures.

And then there’s Al Horford, the venerable pillar of Banner 18. He enters free agency at age-39 with plenty of gas in the tank. It’s impossible to think of #42 suiting up in anything other than the green and white, but timing and tax penalties could dictate not just the front office’s decision, but his as well.

On Saturday, Horford was asked about his plans.

“For me, it’s just too soon to talk about that stuff,” Horford said of his looming free agency. “I’ll take some time here with my wife, with my kids. It’s not even been a day. There’s still a lot for me to process, just feeling everything out from last night. That was difficult.”

Whether he’s back in Boston is a question for another day. It’s clear though that he’s had a lasting impact on not just the outcome on the parquet, but his impression on Celtic Pride.

But, perhaps even more important than his on-court impact has been his steady presence in the locker room.

“You can’t replace Al,” said Payton Pritchard. “So, I definitely hope we get that figured out. Because his locker room presence alone is just crucial, and then having him on the court. For all the young guys, just to see how he goes about his business, how professional he is. He’s just a leader.”

Horford was nominated for the NBA’s Teammate of the Year Award for the second consecutive season. He ultimately didn’t win the award — but in his teammates’ eyes, it didn’t matter.

“Al’s about as good a teammate as I’ve ever seen,” Luke Kornet said. “Honestly, the best one I’ve ever seen.”

His presence permeated its way into all his teammates and if Boston is to rebound quickly from this devasting end, it would behoove Stevens to try to replicate the culture that’s been in the room since he started.

“I really like the competitive character of all the guys in the room. Team to team, there can be a wide range of things, but the amount of friction you have with guys ultimately trying to do whatever it takes to win is very low and I feel like everyone is so willing to buy into whatever that takes and whatever it seems to be for the situation,” Luke Kornet said of this year’s team. “Up and down the roster, everyone is playing to win and for the team’s success, and I feel like that’s a pretty rare thing to have.”

After the Celtics season ended in 2021, Stevens made the move from the bench to the front office and two weeks later with the playoffs still in full swing, he made the shrewd trade of bringing back Horford from Oklahoma City for Kemba Walker and a first round pick. That move would usher in a series of trades that would eventually culminate in a championship in 2024.

For now, there’s no telling what Boston’s future holds. The first domino could be as seemingly inconsequential as that perceived salary dump of Walker. But as well as he understands building a basketball team in terms of Xs and Os, Stevens is also a meticulous judge of character and what it means to play here. Don’t think that this summer will only have the salary cap and balance books in mind.

“We always want to represent the Celtics and Boston in the best way possible,” Horford said. “When we play and we’re out there, we want to make sure that we reflect the city and the people and the fans.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...rford-payton-pritchard-sam-hauser-luke-kornet

 

[Boston Celtics]

Uncertain feeling surrounds the end of this Celtics season (and era?)

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Brad Stevens didn’t reveal much as he picked up the pieces from a major lost Celtics opportunity. But the players already previewed what’s coming.

BOSTON — Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard tried to forecast hope. Brown’s life after death line and Pritchard’s 100% certainty that the Celtics will compete next year did not become the prevailing sentiment following a stunning early finish to Boston’s season.

Brad Stevens said on Monday that rapid exit, combined with Jayson Tatum’s injury and ownership change, left him without the ability to immediately answer questions regarding the team’s future.

Meaning anything can happen.

That’s the reality for the Boston Celtics now after two collapses that they collectively pointed to as the reason they are home as the conference finals begin this week. Worse, players acknowledged across the board that they’ll never have this opportunity again.

“It sucks,” Derrick White said. “We’re never gonna get this season back. We’re never gonna have the exact same team again.”

Stevens managed the control the Celtics seemingly lack by emphasizing that Boston has White, Brown, Pritchard and many more under contract. He didn’t signal any approach or limitation placed on him, only acknowledging the reality of the CBA they’ve known for some time. Al Horford and Luke Kornet become unrestricted free agents in July, the only things outside their control, with Horford’s willingness to assess retirement or a departure another looming uncertainty on top of it all. Kornet similarly expressed the need to consult his family on his decision.

For those staying, there’ll eventually be a departure. Wyc Grousbeck signaled as much when he predicted that no team will stay above the second apron in coming years. Boston is nearly $20-million over that line for next season between 12 players. There isn’t a straightforward path to moving off that money either with limited cap space available league-wide. The market could decide their move — depending on which opportunities emerge.

And they’ll be without Tatum, who makes $54.1 million, for most if not all of 2025-26.

“Any time you’re talking about an injury like that, it’s another piece of information that you have to ingest and figure out how that affects you moving forward, both next year and in the future,” Stevens said.

Kristaps Porziņģis hadn’t thought about the prospect of the team coming apart moments after Game 6. He thought more about recovering from his illness and EuroBasket. Jrue Holiday still saw a championship window ahead for the Celtics, and hoped to be part of it. White said he’s most proud that he got the chance to wear a Boston uniform with these teammates. Stevens described Brown and Tatum core parts of their program to this point who earned the superstar praise they received. He also stressed it’s about everyone moving forward.

On committing to winning championships — he said that’s always the eventual goal, but didn’t directly point toward trying to do so in 2025-26. Stevens wouldn’t put a ceiling on any group. Though he said some teams enter years with better contending chances than others.

The Celtics don’t need to rush into decisions. Even Joe Mazzulla, should he have only one year left on his contract as Shams Charania’s 2023 report indicated, succeeded enough over the past three years to warrant more time despite a disappointing finish to 2025. Boston doesn’t need to dive below the second apron line until the trade deadline to avoid penalties, perhaps giving Porziņģis new life on his expiring contract.

A still-pending team sale should finish soon, bringing new voices into the discussion beyond even Bill Chisholm and Grousbeck. When Stevens said he doesn’t know what’s next, he likely spoke strategically, but also with some truth. His door’s open if anyone needs it, he said. That probably won’t alleviate the anxiety around Auerbach Center. Stevens always had an answer to begin his tenure as president. Much of Boston’s future now lies outside of his control.

“I know there will be a lot of questions about what’s next, but I’ll talk, probably, more about that at the draft, when we have a better idea,” Stevens said. “After meeting with all the key stakeholders and everybody else, about what the next steps might be. At the end of the day, I think that will all be driven by the same thing that’s always driven us, and that is, ‘How do we get ourselves in the mix to compete for championships best?’”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...on-nba-brad-stevens-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown

 

[Boston Celtics]

Brad Stevens weighs in on Jaylen Brown’s knee injury, future with Celtics

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics general manager expressed optimism regarding Brown’s partial meniscus tear — and noted that he has faith that the 2024 Finals MVP can lead the Celtics in Jayson Tatum’s absence.

BOSTON — Jaylen Brown had an up-and-down postseason. There were the highs: a 36-point explosion with Jayson Tatum sidelined in Game 2 against the Orlando Magic, a 26-point, 12-assist outing to keep the Celtics alive in Game 5 against the New York Knicks.

And, there were the lows: 7 turnovers in the Celtics’ final game, a blowout loss at Madison Square Garden, and 35% shooting across the Celtics’ first two losses, in which the Celtics lost consecutive 20-point second-half leads.

Through it all, it was evident that Brown was playing through knee pain — pain that the Celtics initially termed a right knee impingement but was later reported to be a partial meniscus tear by ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne. Per the report, Brown is being evaluated this week to determine whether surgery is needed.

On Monday, Stevens addressed the media for the first time since the Celtics’ elimination and offered some positive insight into Brown’s situation.

“The knee is in a good place, structurally,” Stevens said. “So I think he felt comfortable getting out there and going after it, and, hopefully, he’ll feel better after being off of it for a couple of weeks here.”

And, while the Celtics’ general manager didn’t explicitly say that surgery was off the table, he did share that the partially torn meniscus was not new information.

“That’s been something that he’s had for a while, and it’s been stable, and he’s played with it,” Brown said. “That’s been several scans through and through. We’ve known that for a long time, and he’s known that for a long time.”

Brown didn’t miss any postseason games, though he was on the injury report for the Celtics’ final three games against the Magic. He also missed 11 games with the injury in the second half of the season.

And, before the series against the Knicks, Brown said he felt he was turning the corner toward 100%. Stevens implied that those comments weren’t just gamesmanship.

“You guys all watched it in the last couple of weeks,” Stevens said. “I thought it got better and better and better. I think he actually felt better, or, at least, he told me he felt better at the end of the Knicks series.”

Stevens attributed Brown’s desire to play through the injury to his warrior mindset, something Brown and his teammates have spoken to plenty of times throughout the year.

“Jaylen wants to play,” Stevens said. “Jaylen is a competitor. Jaylen is a warrior. Jaylen takes great pride in being out there.”

What the Celtics expect from Jaylen Brown next season​

With Jayson Tatum expected to be sidelined with an Achilles rupture most — if not all — of next season, it’s likely that Brown will have to take on a bigger role on both ends of the floor.

This season, the Celtics were 8-2 without Tatum in the regular season, and 2-1 in the playoffs. In those games, Brown has averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.

Asked Brad Stevens about his confidence level in Jaylen Brown leading the team next year without Jayson Tatum:

“I have full faith in Jaylen.” pic.twitter.com/TPXLrbLAHo

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) May 19, 2025​

Stevens made clear that his confidence in Brown’s ability to help lead the team without his co-star.

“I have full faith that, any game that you have those guys on the court, or one of those guys on the court, you have a great shot,” Stevens said. “And so, I have full faith in Jaylen.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...ns-jaylen-brown-knee-injury-celtics-offseason

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics abrupt offseason open mailbag

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

There should be no shortage of questions for this offseason; I’ll do what I can to answer them

The Boston Celtics are (abruptly) in the offseason and this is shaping up to be (yet another) pivotal summer for the franchise. Between the team’s early exit, Jayson Tatum’s injury, the new ownership situation, and the CBA rules that are specifically designed to break up teams like the Celtics, we’re staring down a lot of changes to a team we embraced and celebrated.

I tried to lay the groundwork for why those big changes could and perhaps should happen. But I’m sure there’s no shortage of questions remaining. So I’m inviting all your mailbag questions below. Just put them in the comments section and I’ll get to as many of them as I can. As usual I can’t promise to have all the answers, but I can give you my hopefully informed opinions and suggestions.

Feel free to ask questions you still have about the CBA and trade restrictions. I’m not Keith Smith, but I’ve studied his game tape and can try to do a pale imitation of his footwork. And if all else fails, I might phone a friend for an occasional answer.

Send me your favorite trade proposals if you like. I suggest trying out your deals on the Spotrac Trade Machine first. Fair warning, I will almost certainly reject any notion of trading Derrick White. Or I suppose said another way, any Derrick White trade would be ...a disaster. (Sometimes you just have to own your cold takes.)

There are plenty of subjects to cover with the players and coaches that are (most likely) returning next season as well. The year ahead could provide a fascinating opportunity to flesh out development and experimental projects that we might not have focused on while competing at the highest levels. Everything from more opportunities for the G-League guys to seeing what Jaylen Brown looks like as the lead guy on a team.

So send me your questions and I’ll (eventually) work to answer as many of them as I can.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/5/...ag-jaylen-brown-brad-stevens-nba-trade-rumors