Locked On Celtics – Celtics Postcast: Backs to the Wall & Celtics Come Up Huge in Game 5 Win

Date: May 15, 2025
Host: Steve Lennox (for John Karalis, Locked On Podcast Network)

Episode Overview

In this Celtics Postcast, Steve Lennox breaks down a resounding Boston Celtics Game 5 blowout win (127-102) over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With their backs to the wall and star Jayson Tatum out after a season-ending injury, Boston delivered a true team effort at TD Garden to keep their playoff hopes alive. The episode delivers in-depth analysis of key performances, highlights critical stat lines, discusses rotation questions, and fields live fan comments with optimism about forcing a Game 7.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Team Resilience Without Jayson Tatum

• The Celtics overcame the loss of Tatum, who underwent surgery and is out until at least next February. The Celtics responded with what Lennox calls “a complete team effort” to keep their season alive.
• Lennox suggests Tatum might be in attendance (in a suite) if the series returns to Boston for Game 7, painting an “eruption” scene for the fans.

  “The surgery for Jayson Tatum on Tuesday…maybe he’s upstairs in a suite on Monday night…and all of a sudden they show him on camera for the first time at TD Garden just absolutely erupts.” (03:09)

2. Standout Performances

• Derrick White: 34 points, nine three-pointers.

• Jalen Brown: 26 points, 12 assists (two rebounds shy of a triple-double).

• Luke Kornet: Perfect 5-for-5 shooting, 10 points, 9 rebounds, and a career-high 7 blocked shots.

  “Seven blocked shots for Luke Kornet…he was terrific. Needed again in Game 6 in a hostile environment.” (04:36)

• Team set a franchise playoff record with 22 made three-pointers on 49 attempts (44.9%).

• All supporting players—Sam Hauser (returning to the rotation), Peyton Pritchard, and Cornet—played critical minutes.

3. Game Flow & Turning Points

• The Celtics blew it open after halftime (tied at the half) with a dominant second half—outscoring the Knicks 68-49.
• Knicks’ comeback never arrived; Jalen Brunson’s impact mitigated by foul trouble (picked up his fifth midway through the third).

4. Defensive Dominance & Adjustments

• Only eight turnovers for the Celtics.
• Kornet’s interior defense “kept it in bounds, went the other way” (04:52).
• Brown moved into more of a distributor role—Lennox highlights that Brown’s 12 assists may be more than he’s gathered over multiple recent games.

5. Fan & Host Reaction

• Lennox’s mood “so much different than when Tatum went down…you gotta believe right now, they’ve earned that trust.” (01:47)
• Emphasizes the Next Man Up mentality, connecting the team’s adversity-filled season (injuries to multiple stars) to postseason resilience.
• Listeners are encouraged: “There is no way in the world you go to bed tonight thinking this team can’t get it back to Boston for a Game 7.” (11:47)
• Shout-outs to longtime and first-time listeners, inviting live interaction.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve Lennox (on trust in the team):

  “Wow, just wow…they’ve earned our trust believing this series can get back to Boston for a game this.” (03:28)

• Lennox (on Luke Kornet):

  “He was terrific. Didn’t miss from the field. Seven block shots, almost ten rebounds—absolutely what the team needed.” (16:42)

• On Jalen Brown’s big night:

  “Jalen Brown, man, when he can elevate on a jumper from about sixteen to eighteen, inside that three point line, it’s pretty…it’s pretty when he connects.” (09:53)
  “The number for me? Twelve assists for Brown. He almost had a triple double—two rebounds shy.” (10:01)

• Perspective on Porzingis’s struggles:

  “KP part of it is Luke Kornet played so well, you have to reward that.” (24:59)

Listener Questions and Live Fan Segment (18:45–28:00)

• “Great team win tonight!” (Joseph via comments).
  • Lennox agrees: “It was absolutely a team victory…and it’s what’s needed. Connected, tied at the half, blow them out in the second half.” (18:55)
• Why was Porzingis so limited?
  • “It just seems like the stamina has been zapped from him…he was in the starting lineup, played twelve plus, 0-of-3 overall and just one point.” (16:14)
• Could Peyton Pritchard start in Game 6?
  • “He’s going to get his minutes anyway, starter or coming off the bench…he just has a nose for the basketball. He goes after it and he’s going to grind.” (17:16)
• Mitchell Robinson's flawless free throw night:
  • “Mitchell Robinson, by the way, knocking down free throws…he was perfect, six of six at the line. That’s just an incredible number.” (08:32)
• Nick fan comment:
  • “If you were the Knicks you wanted this series over Wednesday night…you have that luxury of knowing Game 6 is at home.” (18:07)
• Confidence for Game 6:
  • “Can they win Game 6? Yes, because there is a Game 6…” (21:42)
• On Jalen Brown’s emergence:
  • “This is an opportunity for Jalen Brown to really sort of separate himself, because it’s going to take huge performances…” (21:12)

Key Stats and Numbers

| Player | Points | 3PT Made | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Notes | |------------------|--------|----------|---------|----------|--------|----------------------| | Derrick White | 34 | 9 | - | - | - | Set tone early | | Jalen Brown | 26 | - | 12 | 8 | - | Near triple-double | | Luke Kornet | 10 | - | - | 9 | 7 | 5/5 FG off bench | | Peyton Pritchard | - | 5 | - | - | - | 39 min, big 3s |

• Team stats:
  • 22 made threes (team playoff record) on 49 attempts (44.9%), 52% overall shooting.
  • Only 8 turnovers.
  • 27 assists (team playoff high in 2025 postseason).
  • Knicks had a 14 free throw attempt advantage (40-26).

The Road Ahead

• Celtics still trail 3-2; Game 6 is Friday in New York at Madison Square Garden.
• Host notes Celtics have played from behind all series and “cannot look past Friday night” but have hope to force a Game 7 “with house money” back at TD Garden. (20:19, 26:38)
• If the Celtics can pull off back-to-back wins, the Indiana Pacers await in the Conference Finals.
• Lennox underscores:

  “It has happened 13 times in NBA playoff history where a team has been down 3-1 and come back; the Celtics are trying to be the 14th.” (28:21)

Host’s Final Thoughts

Steve Lennox’s tone is equal parts elated and realistic: Boston has kept the season alive, bought themselves “house money,” and earned enough “collateral” to trust that—despite adversity—this series could return to Boston for a decisive Game 7.

“Force a Game 7 at home and we are winning—that’s what we’re going to finish it off with right there.” (27:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• (01:39) Opening/game summary & team trust post-Tatum injury
• (04:17) Player stats, standout performances, focus on Luke Kornet
• (08:32) Knicks’ performances & Mitchell Robinson’s perfect free throws
• (10:01) Brown’s 12 assists & Celtics’ passing
• (14:37) Impact of missing players, next man up, adversity
• (18:55) Live fan comments, team “connection”
• (21:12) Jalen Brown’s opportunity to lead
• (21:42) Can Celtics win Game 6?
• (24:59) Porzingis’ struggles, rotation questions
• (27:42) Outlook for Games 6/7, Celtics’ history chasing a 3-1 comeback
• (28:21) NBA historical context—3-1 comebacks

Episode Conclusion

Boston’s back against the wall, but the Celtics proved in Game 5 they can collectively rise to the challenge—and fans have every reason to believe in at least one more electrifying night at TD Garden. The series is alive, and Boston’s improbable climb continues.

Listen to Locked On Celtics after every playoff game for full reaction and analysis.