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Jaylen Brown Sends 7-Word Message to Jayson Tatum in Hospital After Celtics' Game 5 Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated May 15, 2025 12:01 AM ET

The Boston Celtics staved off elimination at TD Garden on Wednesday night, ousting the New York Knicks by 25 points and winning a home contest for the first time in the second-round Eastern Conference series.

Jaylen Brown had a monster game in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who the Celtics lost for the season in the fourth quarter of Game 4 due to an Achilles injury that required surgery on Tuesday in New York.

Brown finished the night with 26 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds to push the series to a Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on Friday, May 16. During an on-court interview following the victory, Brown sent concise -- yet heartfelt -- message to his longtime teammate who continues recovering in the hospital.

"That one's for JT. Get well bro."

Jaylen Brown caught up with @ALaForce after a HUGE Game 5 win pic.twitter.com/gcNP2CPBEA
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 15, 2025

"That one's for JT," Brown said. "Get well, bro."

Brown's play was as much of a tribute to Tatum as were his words, and the play of several of their Celtics teammates also seemed inspired Wednesday night.

Derrick White led all scorers with 34 points, while the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard added 17 points in 39 minutes off the bench.

However, backup center Luke Kornet was the biggest surprise of the evening, dropping in 10 points, grabbing nine rebounds and swatting away seven shots.

Boston has a chance to force a Game 7 in what is certain to be a raucous atmosphere at MSG on Friday night. The Knicks opened as 2.5-point favorites in that contest, per ESPN BET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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