New York holds a 3-2 series lead as Boston looks to survive without Jayson Tatum
The stakes couldn’t be higher tonight at Madison Square Garden, as the New York Knicks host the Boston Celtics for a crucial Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the Knicks holding a 3-2 series edge, they’ll look to shut the door on Boston and punch their ticket to the conference finals for the first time in over two decades. For the Celtics, it’s win or go home — and they’ll have to do it without Jayson Tatum.
Boston responded with urgency in Game 5, blowing the doors off the Knicks in a 127-102 win at TD Garden. Derrick White led the charge, lighting up the scoreboard with 34 points on 7-of-13 shooting from deep (53.8%). Jaylen Brown delivered a near triple-double, posting 26 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds in a do-or-die performance to keep Boston’s hopes alive.
Despite the lopsided loss, the Knicks remain in control of the series. Jalen Brunson turned in one of his quieter outings of the postseason, scoring 22 points on 7-of-17 from the field (41.2%), while Josh Hart stepped up in a big way with a playoff-high 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 19 but was once again hampered by foul trouble — he’s picked up at least four fouls in every game this series.
New York has already split its two home games in the series, but with the home crowd behind them and the Celtics on the ropes, the momentum may be shifting back in their favor. Game 6 tips off tonight with everything on the line — for the Knicks, it’s a shot at history; for the Celtics, it’s a fight for survival.
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