By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Boston Celtics refused to go home and survived their first elimination game against the New York Knicks, 127-102, during Game 5 of their Western Conference best-of-seven semifinal playoff series on May 15, 2025.
Boosted by the loud cheers from their home fans in a pressure-packed win-or-go-home situation, the Celtics averted disaster and leaned on their balanced two-way efficiency to drag New York to a Game 6.
Without their superstar, Jayson Tatum, who underwent a successful surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles tendon, the duo of Derrick White and Luke Kornet stepped up when the Boston organization needed them the most.
White was hoisting three-pointers at will and wrapped up the Game 5 dub with his best-scoring performance in the ongoing playoffs with 34 points built from seven made treys.
Meanwhile, Kornet, who usually sits on the bench longer as a substitute for Kristaps Porzingis, made the most out of the Celtics’ huge second-half adjustment and tallied 10 markers, nine rebounds, and seven blocks.
White set the tone for Boston after immediately exploding for 14 points in the opening quarter derived from three quick triples.
The Celtics needed someone to ignite the much-needed fire, and White pretty filled in that role as his offensive punch put Boston in the driver’s seat early in the game.
However, the Knicks provided some answers in the second period, as Josh Hart picked up his team’s scoring slack with an All-Star shooting performance.
The see-saw affair figured in a deadlock at the half, 59-all, but little did New York know that the Celtics would be making a huge adjustment that proved to be the game-changer in the second half.
Boston’s head coach Joe Mazzulla decided to start Kornet instead of Porzingis, who was having an awful night with only a point off of three tries from the field.
Not used to playing heavy minutes in the entire playoffs, Kornet paid off the trust of his coaching staff as his defense in the paint changed the complexion of the ball game, paving the way for the Celtics’ momentum-changing 32-17 run in the third.
Kornet anchored Boston’s shaded lane, and his seven made blocks were proof of his efficiency on the defensive end.
From that point, the Knicks never recovered just like the past three games and could only watch the Celtics defend home court in style.
New York’s chief tactician, Tom Thibodeau, opted to field his starters longer as expected in the fourth, but their come-from-behind magic vanished in a jiffy when Jalen Brunson fouled out of the game with still plenty of time left in the final period.
Aside from White and Kornet, Jalen Brown also had his share in the much-needed win after delivering an all-around outing of 26 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds, and a steal.
Payton Pritchard also contributed off the bench and uncorked 17 markers derived from five three-pointers alongside five boards, three dimes, and a steal.
Can the Celtics force a do-or-die Game 7 on the road? Or will Brunson and the Knicks emerge victorious and return to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since the 1999-2000 NBA season?
