Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) AP

The Boston Celtics looked to be in dire straits heading into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the New York Knicks. They had lost Game 4 and fell behind 3-1 in the series while also losing star forward Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles late in that contest, and many had written them off.

The Boston Celtics are still alive against the New York Knicks. The Celtics pulled away to win Game 5, 127-102, on Wednesday night without star forward Jayson Tatum. The Knicks still lead the series, 3-2, and will have another chance to move to the Eastern Conference finals in Friday's Game 6.

Veterans Jaylen Brown and Al Horford challenged their teammates to rally for their injured superstar. Rally they did as Boston extended its East semifinal series against the Knicks.

Despite Tatum suffering the worst injury of his career, Jaylen Brown’s Game 5 heroics had NBA fans leaning into recency bias, claiming the former California star is being held back by Tatum. They took to social media to share their thoughts. "Brown > Tatum Batman vs Robin," one fan claimed.

Sam Hauser is available for the Celtics. No Knicks players are on the injury report. The game tips at 7 p.m. on TNT.

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks look to close out their series against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of this second-round NBA Playoffs matchup.

As a result, head coach Joe Mazzulla adjusted the Celtics ' game plan, and it paid off in the 127-102 win. Some different names were given a bigger opportunity in the win. Players like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and, most notably, center Luke Kornet.

The Celtics overcame a disappointing Game 4 and a season-ending Jayson Tatum injury as they beat the New York Knicks, 127-102, in Boston Wednesday evening.

The Boston Celtics kept their playoff season alive with a 127-102 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Kylie Jenner, who sat courtside with boyfriend Timothée Chalamet at Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, was far from Boston on Wednesday night. As Chalamet posted an Instagram Story from courtside at TD Garden, his better half was posting photos from an unknown beach.