Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

'Feels like death': Celtics' Jaylen Brown responds to getting eliminated by Knicks

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated May 17, 2025 9:16 AM ET

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is keeping his head high after the team's deflating season-ending loss to the New York Knicks on Friday.

The Knicks trounced the Celtics in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y. The Celtics trailed by as many as 41 points and never threatened a comeback in the Knicks’ 119-81 blowout win.

Brown became Boston’s primary option after Jayson Tatum succumbed to a serious Achilles injury in Game 4. Brown led the Celtics with 20 points but committed seven turnovers as none of his teammates could get anything going offensively.

The four-time All-Star fouled out at the 2:50 mark of the third quarter as his Celtics trailed 84-51.

Brown spoke to reporters after the game with a somber yet profound message.

“We hold our heads up regardless,” said Brown. “Losing to the Knicks feels like death, but I was taught that there’s life after death. So we’ll get ready for whatever’s next.”

"Losing to the Knicks, you know, feels like death."

Jaylen Brown after being eliminated from playoffs pic.twitter.com/ikD6mLRGmj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 17, 2025

Brown also admitted that Boston’s situation may “look gloomy” now. However, he promised fans that “this is not the end” of the team as they know it.

There are a lot of question marks about Boston’s plans heading into the offseason. Even before Tatum’s season-ending injury, there were already rumblings that the Celtics would need to break up their current core due to a ballooning luxury tax bill.

With Tatum likely out for the rest of next season, the uncertainty surrounding the Celtics is nearing a crescendo.

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

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