Brotherhood Playoff Watch: Tatum-less Celtics Pull Off A Stunner

An impressive performance without star forward Jayson Tatum

Former Duke star Jayson Tatum is out for the rest of the playoffs after rupturing an Achilles tendon against New York in Game 4 and was obviously not able to play against New York Thursday night.

As it turned out, it didn’t matter as Boston won 127-102, although Tatum may have played a role behind the scenes.

Turns out Tatum sent a message to his teammates and while coach Joe Mazzula refused to disclose the contents of that message, his teammates may have responded to it.

Boston shot 52.4 percent overall and 44.9 percent from behind the line. Derrick White hit for 34 while Jaylen Brown added 26.

And in a stunning turn off the bench, Luke Kornet, who comes off the bench and has a lifetime average of 0.8 blocks per game, racked up seven in 26 minutes.

They’re going to have a tough time doing this twice more, but Boston still has a ton of talent and keep in mind that they pulled this win off despite limited help from Krystaps Porzingis, who could only play 12 minutes in Game 5, saying he “couldn't breathe.”

Game 6 will be on Friday in New York.

• From Jaylen Brown to Luke Kornet, Celtics show world there’s more basketball to be played
• Celtics stave off elimination with Game 5 win over Knicks
• Knicks star bloodied in freak incident as Celtics keep playoffs dream alive – NBA Wrap
• How surprise hero rescued Celtics in ‘unbelievable’ Game 5 performance
• Celtics crush Knicks without Jayson Tatum to force Game 6
• Defiant Knicks fans brush off Game 5 blowout, blast ‘cocky’ Celtics supporters in Boston: ‘Worst city in America’
• Kristaps Porzingis ‘couldn’t breathe’ in Celtics worry after again sitting entire second half
• Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Shares Eye-Opening Claim About Resilient Celtics
• Jayson Tatum’s Injury Changes Nothing in Knicks vs Celtics as Surprising Confessions Emerge
• Jaylen Brown Sends 7-Word Message to Jayson Tatum in Hospital After Celtics’ Game 5 Win
• Jalen Brunson Pulled Funniest Move on Celtics Jumbotron After Fouling Out of the Game