Kristaps Porzingis didn't play in the second half of the Game 5 win and the illness once again affected the big man.

The Celtics played their best game of the series on Wednesday night after receiving a message from a hobbled Jayson Tatum.

Kornett was the presence inside the Celtics have needed Kristaps Porzingis to be this series. Jaylen Brown also had 26 points, 12 assists.

The end of the Boston Celtics' Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday was devastating. Far worse than going down 3-1 in their second-round series was the fact that Jayson Tatum was lost for the remainder of this run (and likely next season) after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

Karl-Anthony Towns was 1-for-3 from three in Wednesday's loss, but if the Knicks want to close out the Celtics, they need to get more out of their big man.

For the second game in a row, White had the hot hand in the first quarter, draining his first four 3-point attempts.

The Knicks couldn't finish off the Celtics in Game 5 on Wednesday, with Boston staving off elimination despite being without superstar Jayson Tatum.

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks had the chance to put away the rival Boston Celtics and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals, but fell short in a physical contest that ended with Brunson on the bench.

Celtics fans remain hopeful for Jayson Tatum after he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in a game against the Knicks.