The Celtics would have to stage that rare comeback without their best player in Tatum, who suffered a torn Achilles at the end of Game 4. His teammates stepped up in his absence Wednesday, with Derrick White scoring 34 points and Jaylen Brown adding 26 points and a postseason career-high 12 assists.

BOSTON — The Celtics didn’t have Jayson Tatum. The Knicks were missing Karl-Anthony Towns. Game 5’s 127-102 ugly loss to the Celtics produced another no-show until garbage time from the Knicks center, whose impact and aggressiveness in this series remains below his All-Star status.

Jayson Tatum‘s torn Achilles tendon was the biggest story coming out of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks visit TD Garden for Game 5 against a Celtics team adjusting to life without Jayson Tatum. Data-driven projections still give Boston the edge.

The New York Knicks are up 3-1 in their series against the Boston Celtics, and they have a chance to advance to the next round with a win on the road. Things will look different for their opponent, as Jayson Tatum will be out for the remainder of the series after tearing his Achilles in Game 4.