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.

With Jayson Tatum out for the rest of the playoffs and the Celtics facing elimination, the attention turns to Jaylen Brown.