Celtics lose Jayson Tatum to apparent serious injury after squandering another double-digit lead to Knicks
The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals after overcoming a double-digit deficit. Despite Jayson Tatum's remarkable performance with 42 points, the Celtics were unable to maintain their lead, ultimately falling to a 121-113 defeat. Tatum's night took a turn for the worse when he suffered a serious non-contact lower leg injury, which could potentially sideline him for the rest of the series. The Knicks showcased a balanced scoring effort, with four of their starters scoring at least 20 points, led by Jalen Brunson's 39 points. Returning to Boston for Game 5, the Celtics face an uphill battle, needing to overcome a 3-1 deficit, a feat rarely achieved in NBA history, especially with the potential absence of Tatum.
Context:
The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals after overcoming a double-digit deficit. Despite Jayson Tatum's remarkable performance with 42 points, the Celtics were unable to maintain their lead, ultimately falling to a 121-113 defeat. Tatum's night took a turn for the worse when he suffered a serious non-contact lower leg injury, which could potentially sideline him for the rest of the series. The Knicks showcased a balanced scoring effort, with four of their starters scoring at least 20 points, led by Jalen Brunson's 39 points. Returning to Boston for Game 5, the Celtics face an uphill battle, needing to overcome a 3-1 deficit, a feat rarely achieved in NBA history, especially with the potential absence of Tatum.
Dive Deeper:
The New York Knicks staged a comeback victory against the Boston Celtics, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to secure a 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jayson Tatum was instrumental for the Celtics, scoring 42 points, including seven three-pointers, but his efforts were overshadowed by a serious leg injury sustained during a crucial moment in the game.
The Knicks' balanced offensive display was highlighted by Jalen Brunson, who led all scorers with 39 points, and the team capitalized on a strong fourth-quarter performance to seal their victory.
Tatum's injury adds to the Celtics' woes as they now face the daunting task of overcoming a 3-1 series deficit, a comeback that has not been successfully completed since 2020.
As the series returns to Boston for Game 5, the Knicks are poised to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, while the Celtics must regroup and strategize without their star player potentially.
The Knicks' ability to rally from significant deficits has been a hallmark of their playoff run, demonstrating resilience and depth across their roster.
Historically, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit is rare, with the last successful attempt requiring a team to win a decisive road game, adding to the Celtics' challenges in the upcoming games.