
The Boston Celtics will need to win the next 3 games of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final series against the Knicks if they are going to advance to the Conference Finals. The Celtics fell, 121-113, to the Knicks Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics are down 3 games to 1 in the Series. Jayson Tatum exited the game with 2:58 remaining in the 4th Quarter with a lower right leg injury. Joe Mazzulla announced after the game that it was a lower leg injury and that Tatum would have an MRI on Tuesday. ----- Scoring Leaders: Tatum led all scorers with 42 Points. Tatum hit 7 3's, scored 20 Points in the 1st Half and 22 In the 2nd Half. Jalen Brunson scored 25 of his team-high 38 in the 2nd Half. Derrick White scored 23 and Jaylen Brown scored 20 in the loss. ----- Up Next: The Eastern Conference Semi-Final series move back to Boston for Game 5 Wednesday night at TD Garden. With the 2-2-1-1-1 format, the Knicks would host Game 6 in New York on Friday, May 16. If there i...
Loading summary
Fan
Foreign.
Steve Lennox
Podcast network your team every day.
Jake (State Farm Ad)
This is Jake from Lock Dawn. When the game's on the line, the best know when to pass. Because the right assist can change everything. And off the court, it's no different. That's where your State Farm agent comes in. Whether it's protecting your car, your home, or helping you prep for the unexpected, they'll help set you up with a game plan that works for for you. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability and eligibility vary by state.
Fan
I don't mean to interrupt your meal, but I saw you from across a cafe and you're the Geico Gecko, right?
Geico Gecko
In the flesh.
Fan
Oh, my goodness. This is huge. To finally meet you. I love Geico's fast and friendly claim service.
Geico Gecko
Well, that's how Geico gets 97 customer satisfaction.
Fan
Anyway, that's all. Enjoy the rest of your food.
Geico Gecko
No worries. Uh, so are you just gonna watch me eat?
Fan
Oh, sorry. Just a little starstruck. I'll be on my way.
Geico Gecko
If you're gonna stick around, just pull up a chair.
Fan
You're the best.
Steve Lennox
Get more than just savings. Get more with Geico.
Verizon/T-Mobile Announcer
For years, everyone thought Verizon had the best network because they did. But now the best mobile Network in the US is T Mobile. T Mobile's network has the most advanced 5G with more towers. And their signal reaches further than ever. So you can text and insta talk. And you won't believe where I am.
T-Mobile Announcer
T Mobile has the best mobile Network in the US based on analysis by Ookla of speed test intelligence data 1H 2025 CT mobile.com network.
Locked On Celtics Intro/Host
You are locked on Celtics Postcast part of Locked on Sports Boston on the Locked on podcast network your team every day.
Steve Lennox
Well, it's one thing to have your backs to the wall and returning home for Game 5 facing elimination from the Eastern Conference playoffs. It's another thing to have a absolute pit in your stomach right now as Jason Tatum goes down with a lower right leg injury. Look like a high ankle sprain or something, maybe even worse. But Tatum, they showed him in the tunnel at Madison Square Garden on a wheelchair and just distraught. And certainly Celtics fans are that way too as the Celtics are down three games to one. They lose game four at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. With that, we welcome you to our latest lockdown Celtics postcast. I'm Steve Lennox. You are locked on with our latest Locked on Celtics postcast and we are providing action reaction to the Red Sox or to the Red Sox loss earlier. Geez, it's been a bad night for Boston Red Sox pummeled in Detroit by the Tigers that's locked on Red Sox Postcast this is locked on Celtics postcast and the Celtics do lose Game four in New York. They had the lead going into the third quarter, Big third, big fourth quarter for the Knicks and they win going away and they pick up the victory. If you're with us on the locked on Boston YouTube channel, hit that comment button and join the Celtics conversation. The Lockdown Celtics podcast feed is always free and available wherever you get your podcast. We're talking about Game four. We're talking about Jason Tatum and a strong performance. But again, the leg injury is going to be the storyline for this one for the Celtics over the next 48 hours as they get ready for game five and try to stave off elimination and get this series back to New York for a Game 6. Celtics simply need three wins in a row if they want to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Locked On Celtics Intro/Host
This is what you'll be talking about.
Steve Lennox
It's one thing to be outscored 70 to 53 in the second half. It's another thing to think about this game right now with Jason Tatum and the injury that is going to just be over this series right now. Until game 5 at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday night. Jason Tatum was terrific, had two threes and a three point play in the fourth quarter and they were sort of going back and forth and trading blows when Tatum went down Og Anunoby the other way for the dunk and that really sort of sealed it. 33 points for the Knicks in the third quarter after they scored 37 in the third quarter and Jalen Brunson just went off in the third. He had a terrific game. Tatum led all scores with 42, 20 in the first half, 22 in the second half and actually shot a terrific percentage overall from the field. But you may not have him for game 5. You may not have him for a game 6. If the Celtics can win on Wednesday night in Game five and make it a three two series again, they need three straight wins in order to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Is it possible? Yes. Is it near impossible without Jason Tatum? Yes. Tatum 16 of 28, 7 of 16 on the three point line, nine of his misses from long range at eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, did have four turnovers and had a couple of block shots. He was actually a -9, 42 points, 22 in the second half before going out with the injury. Derrick White had a terrific first half. White was red hot from three in the first half. Derrick White finished with 23 and White with 17 of his 23 coming in that first half for the Celtics. The Celtics shot a high percentage overall from the field. 54% and 50% on the three point line in the first half. What did they do in the second half? Little bit different story. They were 43% overall and just 6 of 24 on the three point line. 25%. Those are your numbers of the night. And again that six, that sick feeling that you have in the bottom of your stomach right now is simply Jason Tatum not being in the lineup for the final almost three minutes. Going out with the injury, in serious pain and I don't know if it's just an ankle sprain, even if it's an ankle sprain, he's out. I mean you're less than 48 hours away from game five back home in Boston. Let's get to your comments. If you're with us on the Lockdown Sports Boston YouTube channel, hit that comment button and give us your thoughts because this is a tough one. This is a gut punch. The Celtics were terrific in the first half. You knew the run was coming. And Joe Missoula did a nice job in the first half calling timeouts. When the Knicks went on so many runs, got to within a couple of buckets. But then the Celtics in the first half had answers in the third quarter. Once it really got rolling for the Knicks, it wasn't, it just wasn't happening. But in the fourth quarter, resiliency. They showed the resiliency in that fourth quarter but just never, you know, got a one point lead and it was a lead that was short lived. 121, 113. The final Peyton Pritchard after a terrific game and game number three, just one of four on the three point line, seven points and really you just need. And that, that was actually in the fourth quarter. Sorry. Pritchard ended up with 12 points, knocking down two threes. But again you really need. You had three guys 20 or more. You had Tatum with 42. You needed that one more score. And Carl Anthony Towns 11 of 15 from the field, three of his four misses on the three point line. He finished with 23 and had 11 rebounds. Josh Hart had nine rebounds, five assists and three, three turnovers in the game. And they got the, it's something about the Knicks when they're, when their role players are going, they're hard to slow down for some reason. Let's get to the comments. Again, that sick feeling right now. You lose this game and Tatum goes for 42 or maybe he gets one more bucket and it's 42 or more points. You go back thinking, okay, you've got to win three in a row. Tatum's healthy. Tatum right now, not good. Fat man Olympic starts us off. Wow. Prayers for JT Fat man Olympics. I think he's done for the year. It feels like that. It really does. And the Celtics could be done for the year if they lose game five at home. The Knicks down by 20 or more. Largest lead for the Celtics and again they jumped out to a double digit lead. Par. For the course of the first four games of the series. Their biggest lead was 13. They never trailed. I don't believe they trailed in the first half and they were taking it to him. But again the Knicks just clicked at some point in time in that third quarter and went from there. Largest lead for the Knicks was one. And that was in the first quarter. They did not lead at any point in the second quarter. Celtics largest lead in that third quarter was 14. They couldn't extend it from there. And that, that's part of it in many ways. The real Darrell health, luck and execution reasons you win and lose in the playoffs. Yeah, yeah, 100%. And you know Porzingis is still dealt with the illness in this series. Come came off the bench again. Al Horford has given you minutes but I mean Horford, when the off season begins for the Celtics, you certainly want it to get to June. It's not looking like that right now, but Horford is going to have a much deserved vacation. Horford played 37 and a half minutes, knocked down a three, took just two shot attempts. And the bigs when they're going well, Carl Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, they go after it and they have success. Tatum's injury look like dames. Yeah, that's from Aiden. I don't, I don't know. I. Again, it's speculation right now. It looks severe. It did. We, we, we can all agree on that. Speculating behind that. Beyond, beyond that. Not what we need to do every nyon. Well, we knew the Knicks aren't winning at all. I, you know, if, if the Knicks get past the Celtics in this series and they go to the Eastern Conference finals and it's New York and Cleveland or New York and Indiana, they're not assured. I mean it's not going to be a cakewalk for any of the teams to get to the Eastern Conference finals. Absolutely not. Right now you've got Minnesota and Golden State. That's an interesting series with Minnesota trying to go up 3:1 in that series and they're trying to do it on the road against Golden State without Steph Curry. This playoff so far around the NBA you've had your share of injuries and injuries to the stars. The real Darrell repeating as a champ. So hard to do. You need to be healthy and lucky you do. We know that. What is Tatum's contract? It's a big one. It's one of the biggest in the league. That from Danielle Daniel. Pardon me. Daniel checking in. There's not, there's not really. I mean, the Knicks, if they don't win in five, they get it back again. You need to win three in a row and you need to win. You need to win three in a row. You can't lose again in the series. That's where you're at. Lost the first two at home. Porzingis not 100. Nobody's 100% right now. They touched on ESPN. Jalen Brunson hobbled back to the locker room at halftime, came out and had a Super K Superman cape on for the third quarter. And Brunson was terrific. And I've said it before on the lockdown Celtics postcast, Jalen Brunson is one of my favorite players. In the NBA, you're allowed to have favorite players outside of your team. It's been a lot of fun watching this Celtics team. I don't know how you rebound here. It's going to be awfully hard because if Jaylen Brunson is smelling blood in the fourth quarter Wednesday night at TD Garden and they're within striking distance or with the lead, he's the guy who, you know, he'll give you nightmares tonight, tomorrow and into Wednesday knowing that he can put it on his shoulders and say, you know what, we're not going back to New York for a game six. We're ending it here. Brunson, I would expect a similar second half performance on Wednesday that you saw in game number four against the Celtics. And the Celtics didn't have any answer for him. He got what he wanted. Ability to score on all three levels. That's been him throughout his NBA career. That was him at Villanova and maybe more so in the NBA because when he was with the Dallas Mavericks to open up his career. And this is not the Jalen Brunch and Jalen Brunson postcast, but he's made himself into a three point threat. But the ability to get to the rim, ability to hit from the mid range, those attributes, those positives to his game have always been there. He's made himself in to a legit three point shooter. The real derail does the series go back to New York for a game six? Right now the real Darrell Glass half full and being optimistic. Let's see it. And I can we can say yes. The Celtics during the regular season had games without Tatum, had lengthy stretches without Holiday Brown. They've been in the situation before. It's not like Jason Tatum played all 82 regular season games. He's been banged up since the Orlando series. You've already played without him in the 25 playoffs. Will it? Let's say yes. Let's see. TD Gordon be as loud as Madison Square Garden was Monday night and I was wrong because Saturday I said advantage to the Celtics with Game 5 and Madison Square Garden on a Monday night. No, that place was loud. Did it deter did it affect how the Celtics played? Nah, they were just loud. Sure, they were obnoxious. It's fine. Home court advantage. They won. They took care of it at home. Numbers of the Night we'll get a little bit more into the numbers of the night because the rebound totals and the assist totals not what you want from the Celtic side. Celtics down 31 in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. The Knicks one win away from advancing to the next round and the Eastern Conference finals. Locked on Celtics Postcast Locked on Celtics Your Celtics. Your team every day. Part of the Locked on Boston Locked on Sports Boston YouTube channel again. Your team every day. Presented by Door Dash. Still, nobody has gone for more than 50 so far in the NBA playoffs. NBA fans, you know what time it is. It is playoff season, meaning big performances and even bigger rewards. Door Dash is bringing the heat with a slam dunk deal for Dash pass members during the 2025 NBA playoffs. It's called a Swooshu Score. Anytime a player drops 50 or more points and a playoff game, Dash Pass members score a free three piece crispy tenders combo from Wingstop. The very next day. Just place an order of $20 or more, use code Wingstop50 at checkout and that combo is yours. Crispy, delicious and totally free. Offer valid noon to midnight the day after the game. Terms do apply. Are you ordering wings and reliving the highlights from an NBA playoff night? Imagine being rewarded with free food just because someone went off for 50. So here's the place. Sign up for Dash Pass to unlock this and more exclusive deals all season long. When any player scores 50 or more in a playoff game, Dash Pass members can grab a free three piece crispy tenders combo from Wingstop. The next day with a 20 or $20 or more order and code Wingstop50. That's dash. Pass your door to more savings, more flavor, and more ways to win again. Terms do apply. Locked on Celtics Postcast Also presented by Monarch Money Ever check your bank account and wonder where did all my money go? Well, if you're like me, you dine out on occasion. Online shopping, entertainment, easy to lose track. I've done that, been there, done that countless times. That's where Monarch Money comes in. Your personal cfo, giving you full visibility and control over your finances. Monarch Money is not just a budgeting app. It's a complete financial command center. You can track all your accounts, investments and spending in one place. So you stop just managing your money and you start building on your wealth. When you start using Monarch Money, you may just realize just how much you're spending on that food delivery. With that, you can budget smarter and save more. Instead of juggling multiple apps, you can use Monarch to check your finances, track spending, and even plan on your long term financial goals. Managing your money with your partner Never smoother. You can track shared accounts, personal accounts, set goals and stay on the same page with your partner without the financial stress. Take control of your finances today with Monarch Money. Use code locked on NBA monarchmoney.com and with that 50 off on your first year. That's monarchmoney.com code locked on NBA for 50/2 50:50 off. That's 50% off on your first year.
T-Mobile Announcer
Introducing family Freedom from T Mobile. We'll pay off four phones up to 3, 200 and give you four free phones all on America's largest box 5G network. Visit t mobile.com family freedom.
Geico Gecko
Up to.
T-Mobile Announcer
800 per line via virtual prepaid card typically takes 15 days. Free phone via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement example Apple iPhone 16128 gigs $829.99 eligible trade in example iPhone 11 Pro for well qualified credits end and balance due. If you pay off early or cancel contact us.
Steve Lennox
I gotta tell you, it's a gut punch and I know you feel the same way. We've been together since late last October and now you're looking at elimination. Did not think we'd be here, but down three one and Tatum the big injury. No update on Tatum to this point that I've seen on social media so far. Back to the comments. Daniel if it's an Achilles tear, what's the typical time for recovery? Again, don't want to speculate on what the injury is. He was. I will say this. From what I observed, he was holding above the Achilles. It was between the Achilles and the calf. I'm not a doctor here, I'm not a doctor in real life, but it did, did appear for me that he was holding above the Achilles. So again, high ankle sprain. The camera angles were not the best and the play was going the other way. Mike Brain on AB or ESPN rather saying that, you know, it's a serious. It looks like a serious injury. Then the cameras went to Tatum. He was down. So it could be, but I'm not sure the timetable. You're looking six to eight months, and that's a full summer of rehab. That's not a full summer of downtime. It's a full summer of rehab. You probably. I would say you wouldn't be looking until after January 1st for next season. If it is an Achilles, it's at least a year for a torn Achilles. That's from Aiden. They're getting back faster. So could it be a full season next year? It could be, but it's not. 12 months. Like the ACL injury is no longer a blown ACL is no longer a year. Players do get back sooner than that. Again, Missoula. Jason Tatum, lower leg to undergo an MRI on Tuesday. Fat man Olympics. Thank you very much. There you go. You're not going to know more anymore until Tuesday. Goes home tonight. It's not going to be easy. Night of sleep, that's for sure. Up probably tomorrow. Early treatment, the mri, and then you get the results. And you could. It could very well be that he's out for the rest of this series and maybe the rest of the playoffs. They may even designate it as that. We'll see how it plays out. But again, the sick feeling in your throat. Outscored 70 to 53. And Anunoby's dunk, even if Tatum was okay, Adenobi's dunk kind of sealed the deal. It really did. In that fourth quarter with just under three to go. That dunk right there from Ananobi after the turnover. And then, yes, the injury that made it 113, 104. And again, again, they got. I don't think it got down to two possessions. I think it got to seven. But that's as close as it got. Jalen Brunson was terrific. Jason Tatum was terrific. And. And I don't know if the narrative with Tatum is different. Talk about legacy. I mean, he's got an NBA title very well. Could end up with a second. Is he going to win back to back? Right now it does not look like that's going to be the case. But Tatum did everything that he could do. 20 points in the first half. A great end to the first quarter as Tatum hit a three at the end of that first quarter. And everything was looking good right up until it wasn't. And even early on in that third quarter, you're thinking pull away first. 255, Tatum and White knocking down threes, up by 14. But then Knicks outscored him by 14 in that quarter and it wasn't all about the three point shooting. But Celtics after a red hot performance from behind the line, dialing up long distance in the first half. Just 3 of 12 in that third quarter. And part of that is allowing the Knicks to get back into it. So again, sleepless night for Jason Tatum, I'm sure. Sleepless night, I'm sure for Joe Missoula as well. How do the Celtics rebound? You win the next game, you get this series back to New York for a game six. One game at a time. Two. Two would have been awfully good. Just did not happen. Hey, as always, we do appreciate you being on board with us with our latest Locked on Celtics postcast. We've got at least one more and we're hopeful for a lot more than that. Never easy in the playoffs. Backs to the wall facing elimination. We'll see how they respond at home at TD Garden Wednesday night. We're going to be on within minutes of the final buzzer of game five. Hopefully we're talking about a victory in the series going back to New York for Game 6 on Friday. Game 7 would be in Boston a week from Monday, a week from tonight. Locked on sports. Boston number one place to hang out immediately after every game. Wish I could have a smile on my face. You don't. I don't lock on sports. Your team, your Celtics every day.
Dunkin' Influencer
Hey, what's up, subscribers? Welcome back to the channel. So which variety of Dunkin at Home coffee is your fave? Original blend, French vanilla or hazelnut? Drop a comment.
Steve Lennox
What are you.
Dunkin' Influencer
Oh, this is what I do when I'm home alone.
Steve Lennox
Drink Dunkin' Original blend or pretend you're an influencer? Both.
Dunkin' Influencer
Want a cup? Hey, let's do a taste test for the audience.
Steve Lennox
Okay, how's this? The rich, smooth taste of Dunkin at home is unmatched.
Dunkin' Influencer
Nice. You're a natural.
Steve Lennox
The home with Dunkin' is where you wanna be.
Jake (State Farm Ad)
Partner with the business that's ready to work for yours. The Home Depot. We supply the support your job needs with the level of service you, your business deserves. Streamline operations and get more done with the Home Depot.
Steve Lennox
How?
Jake (State Farm Ad)
Pros get more done.
Gran Centenario Tequila Announcer
You've got the football jersey, you've got the passion. But you're chasing it with, well, whatever tequila some celeb was pushing. Come on, don't be a gringo. Gran Centenario tequila has been crafted for centuries in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. That means real heritage, real expertise, real tequila. No gringo stuff. Just a product of centuries of expertise. Mexico's number one. So next time you raise a glass, make it Gran centenario. The tequila Mexico drinks. Don't be a gringo drink. Grand Centenario. Grand Centenario tequila, 40% alcohol. Pavaldium proximalproximospirits. Com.
This episode dissects a devastating Game 4 loss for the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals—a night dominated by both Tatum's heroic performance and a gut-wrenching late injury that now casts a shadow over Boston’s playoff hopes. Host Steve Lennox recaps the game, the ramifications of Tatum’s injury, and the path forward for a Celtics team on the brink of elimination.
On Tatum’s Value and the Injury’s Impact:
On Jalen Brunson:
On Playoff Realities:
The episode frames Game 4 not just as a playoff loss but as a potential turning point in the Celtics’ season, all depending on the severity of Jayson Tatum’s leg injury. Steve Lennox’s tone is somber, echoing the fan base’s anxiety—he stresses the uncertainty about the road ahead, emphasizes Boston’s need for resiliency, and urges the home crowd to lift the team in Game 5. The outlook without Tatum is grim, but the host tries to keep some hope alive for a season-saving effort back in Boston.