But in the second round against the New York Knicks, they lost the first two games at home after blowing double-digit second-half leads in both games. They ended up losing in five games, and they also lost star forward Jayson Tatum in Game 4 to a ruptured Achilles that will threaten his availability for next season.

The Celtics star battled knee issues from the NBA All-Star break on, with Boston listing him on its injury report with a right knee posterior impingement and bone bruise. He missed eight of the final 16 regular-season games and admitted he was playing through pain when he did suit up.

The Celtics' season ended Friday with a 119-81 loss against the Knicks in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden. Four days before that, Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in a 121-113 loss in Game 4. Kristaps Porzingis played through an illness throughout the series.