Team gathering headed by Brown and Horford keeps Celtics' season alive, as they discuss strategies and boost team morale.
The Celtics' spirit soared in Game 5, largely due to a passionate pre-game rally led by Jaylen Brown and Al Horford. With their season hanging in the balance, they spoke to their teammates about reacting decisively and sending a strong message to injured teammate Jayson Tatum.
Tatum, recovering from his ruptured right Achilles tendon, sent encouragement from afar, hoping for a stellar performance without him. His words echoed, the Celtics exhibited sheer brilliance, outscoring the Knicks 68-43 in the second half alone.
Brown stepped up big, notching 26 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists, and a steal for the best playoff game of his season. The entire team seemed to feed off the charge, leaving fans in awe.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst shared the team’s emotional journey on Sportscenter. He highlighted how the Celtics played with intensity, despite a rocky start, and were rejuvenated by Tatum's message and the guidance from their veteran teammates.
Game 6 will take place Friday at 8:00 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden. With the series currently at 3-2 in favor of the Knicks, the Celtics are determined to stay alive and turn the tables.
Meanwhile, Boston's main concern heading into Game 6 is the health of center Kristaps Porzingis. Plagued by a persistent respiratory illness for three months, he has been unable to contribute to his full potential.
In Game 5, Porzingis played only 12 minutes, managing a paltry one point, one rebound, and one block. He didn’t see the floor in the second half, as his symptoms worsened, leaving him struggling to breathe.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla vocally addressed Porzingis' condition, explaining that he made the choice to bench him because of his health concerns. With Porzingis out, backup center Luke Kornet stepped up, delivering an impressive outing with 10 points, nine rebounds, and seven blocks in 26 minutes.
Role players often perform better at home, so the question remains: can Kornet duplicate his strong performance on the road? Keep an eye on this as the series reaches a crucial turning point.
In Game 6, with Jaylen Brown's stellar performance of 26 points, eight rebounds, and 12 assists, the Celtics aim to reverse the 3-2 series deficit against the Knicks. After an impressive outing in Game 5 despite health concerns, backup center Luke Kornet, who delivered 10 points, nine rebounds, and seven blocks, seeks to duplicate his strong performance on the road in Madison Square Garden. Meanwhile, the Knicks main concern remains the health of center Kristaps Porzingis, who has been plagued by a respiratory illness and managed only one point, one rebound, and one block in Game 5. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst shared the emotional journey of the Celtics, highlighting their intense play following Tatum's message and guidance from the veteran teammates.
