( Photo: Gulf News, NBA)
The New York Knicks just took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals, following a 121-113 victory at MSG, however this game was over shadowed by something very big. Jayson Tatum went down late in the 4th quarter and initially it looked like a sprained ankle, but looking at further replay that is not what happened. Tatum extends his leg out snd goes down immediately holding his lower part of his leg. Tatum had such a great game today as well up to that point having 42 points 8 rebounds and 4 assists really putting the Celtics on his back. I am no doctor but that to me looked like an achilles injury prayers go out to Jayson Tatum he is such a young athlete only one can hope it’s not as serious as it looks. An MRI is scheduled to take place so hopefully Tatum is all good. Here is a doctors tweet sharing his concern about the Tatum injury. https://x.com/DrJesseMorse/status/1922112270626066579
Despite having a 14 point lead in this game the Celtics managed to blow another lead in this series it has been a pattern as in all 3 New York wins they have been down by double digits in the 2nd half. This win has New York one game away from a conference finals appearance the Knicks haven’t been to a conference final in over 25 years. The series now shifts back to TD Garden in Boston, and more than likely the defending champion Celtics will be without there star player.
The Knicks depth and resilience has shown in this series and they have proven they can win in Boston. There ability to capitalise on the Celtics mistakes has been second to none this series, but do not count the Celtics out. Even though they will probably not have there best player available for game 5 this Celtic team is still stacked. Guys like Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingus and 6th man of the year Payton Pritchard will have to step it up in the possible absence of Tatum. The Celtics in 2023 were down 3-0 to the Miami Heat and they forced a game 7 in that series even though they did lose, they showed incredible fight and became only a handful of teams to almost come back down 3-0. A 3-0 comeback has never been accomplished in NBA history, but u know what has been accomplished a 3-1 comeback so do not count out the Boston Celtics.