The Celtics needed someone to step up on Wednesday night against the Knicks.
With Jayson Tatum out of the picture, Boston’s frontcourt was already taking on water in do-or-die Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
To make matters worse, an ailing Kristaps Porzingis — who Joe Mazzulla said couldn’t breathe out on the court due to his lingering illness— was stapled to the bench in the second half following another tough outing (1 point, 1 rebound, 1 block over 12 minutes).
While lineup regulars Jaylen Brown and Derrick White were keeping their team in the fight, Boston was going to need another lift following a 59-59 deadlock in the first half against New York.