The Celtics extended the series with a blowout victory, but they got just 1 point and one rebound from their starting center.

The Boston Celtics are still alive against the New York Knicks. The Celtics pulled away to win Game 5, 127-102, on Wednesday night without star forward Jayson Tatum. The Knicks still lead the series, 3-2, and will have another chance to move to the Eastern Conference finals in Friday's Game 6.

Former New York Knicks center Luke Kornet prevented his former team from moving forward on the NBA playoff bracket.

The red-hot New York Knicks face off with the Boston Celtics tonight in an elimination Game 5 for Boston. Jayson Tatum remains out with a lower leg injury sustained in Game 4.

The Celtics had no easy fix to replace Jayson Tatum entering their do-or-die Game 5 matchup against the Knicks on Wednesday night. Joe Mazzulla began the game by reinserting Kristaps Porzingis into the starting five in place of Tatum despite the big man’s ineffective play for much of the series due to illness.

The Knicks still lead the series, 3-2, and their next chance to close the series out comes Friday at Madison Square Garden.

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks had a chance to close out their series against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night and advance to take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. With Jayson Tatum out due to a torn Achilles, many expected the Knicks to walk into Boston and get the job done.