Kornett was the presence inside the Celtics have needed Kristaps Porzingis to be this series. Jaylen Brown also had 26 points, 12 assists.

The Celtics played their best game of the series on Wednesday night after receiving a message from a hobbled Jayson Tatum.

Following the New York Knicks 127-102 loss to the Boston Celtics Wednesday night, Brunson referred that the Celtics are a "well-oiled machine" even without star forward Jayson Tatum in the lineup.

The Knicks couldn't finish off the Celtics in Game 5 on Wednesday, with Boston staving off elimination despite being without superstar Jayson Tatum.

Kristaps Porzingis didn't play in the second half of the Game 5 win and the illness once again affected the big man.

The Celtics were clicking on all cylinders, with Derrick White leading the way. The role player, who has become much more than just that in recent years, finished with 34 points, shooting 7-of-13 from deep in the win.

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks had the chance to put away the rival Boston Celtics and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals, but fell short in a physical contest that ended with Brunson on the bench.

Celtics fans remain hopeful for Jayson Tatum after he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in a game against the Knicks.