Knicks vs Celtics G5 Preview: Tatum Sidelines with Achilles Tell Rupture Can Brown Get One Back?

At 7 a.m. Beijing time on May 15, the Celtics will host the Knicks to kick off Game 5 of the series. In the first four games, the Green Army fell behind 1-3 and will be eliminated if they lose one more game. Core Tatum suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, has undergone surgery, and is expected to be sidelined for a long time. With a do-or-die battle ahead, can Jaylen Brown lead the Green Army back to a city and continue this series?

Tatum, 27, was injured in the final minutes of his 113-121 loss to the Knicks in their last game. An examination revealed a ruptured Achilles tendon in Tatum's right foot. He underwent surgery as soon as possible and will miss all of the remaining games of the playoffs. The Celtics said the surgery was a success, but the recovery period is still unclear. There are reports that Tatum may even miss the entire 2025-26 season.

"Get ready for the next game," Jaylen Brown said, "and be ready to fight." Be ready to give it your all at home and do what we have to do. That's what we're aiming for, and it always has been. Everyone in our dressing room has enough quality so I trust my team-mates. ”

The Knicks are one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals, and the last time the Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals was in the 1999-00 season.

Brunson scored 39 points and dished out 12 assists in Game 4 to help the Knicks complete a 14-point comeback. In 34 playoff games for the Knicks, Brunson averaged 30.2 points per game.

"We had a great opportunity," Brunson said, "and we had a very strong opponent, but I don't think we're playing at our best. Our team has only recently been formed this year and we still have a long way to go to reach our best. For us, there is always room to learn. We must maintain an insatiable mindset. ”

Tatum scored 42 points in Game 4 and added eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks before being picked off the court with 2:58 left in the game.

"Obviously, everybody's going to be worried about his health, it's a double worry," Celtics coach Mazzulla said, "and we're worried about his health and recovery, and we're also thinking about what we need to do better in Game 5 when we get back to Boston." ”

This season, the Celtics have a 9-2 record without Tatum, including a 109-100 win over the Magic in the first round, where Tatum was sidelined with a wrist injury.

'Injuries are part of the sport, this game, and of course we feel sorry for him,' Porzingis said, 'but we have to look forward. He certainly doesn't want us to be immersed in grief and not be able to play at our best. So we will do our best, leave no regrets, and accept the result calmly. ”

The Knicks will be aiming for a third win in Boston in the series. Previously, the Knicks took a 2-0 series lead with two away wins, followed by one win each of the two games in New York. In the playoffs this season, the Knicks have a 5-0 record on the road.

"That team is special," Knicks center Towns said of the Celtics, "and they're the defending champions and it takes the whole team to come together to beat them." ”

Towns has scored a double-double in six straight games since the Knicks first round against the Pistons, averaging 19.8 points and 14.0 rebounds per game in the series against the Greens.

List of injuries and illnesses

Knicks: All players are available

Celtics: Tatum is out, and Hauser is likely to play

ESPN predicts the win rate: Knicks 58.6%, Celtics 41.4%