Celtics Core Group Has One Way to Save Themselves

Stunningly, the Boston Celtics' title defense remains alive, even after the team's best player, Jayson Tatum, tore his Achilles tendon in a Game 4 defeat and the New York Knicks took a 3-1 edge in their ongoing second round playoff series.

In Game 5, the Celtics roared back, besting New York 127-102 as they realigned their offensive approach around four-time All-Star swingman Jaylen Brown — their second-best player.

The reigning Finals MVP is a terrific player, but he has one well-known flaw: his dribbling. It wasn't much of a problem for him in Game 5 on Wednesday, as he scored 26 points while shooting 9-of-17 from the floor (3-of-5 from the 3-point line) and 5-of-8 from the foul line, dishing out a whopping 12 dimes, grabbing eight rebounds and swiping a steal.

He also notched a game-high +28 plus-minus. Two-time All-Defensive Team guard Derrick White scored a Celtics-most 34 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field (7-of-13 from the distance, not bad but also not atypical for one of the league's elite long range marksmen).

More Boston Celtics News: Celtics Bench Messed With Luke Kornet During Game 5

Reserve center Luke Kornet may have been the role player story of the game, however. The 7-foot-1 big man scored 10 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field, grabbed nine boards, blocked seven shots, dished out one assist and nabbed one steal in 25:38 of action.

The Celtics' playoff success this spring, especially without Tatum, could have a big impact on the club's core roster short-term, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic.