Jalen Brunson has been excellent for the New York Knicks and helped them to a 3-2 series lead over the Boston Celtics. After they lost in Game 5 though, Jaylen

Jaylen Brown will play in tonight's crucial Game 5 against the Knicks, a lifeline for the Celtics as they trail 3-1. With Jayson Tatum sidelined due to an Achilles injury, Brown's offensive boost and leadership are vital.

Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics now trail the New York Knicks 3-1 in their second-round NBA playoff series after a 121-113 loss Monday night. To make matters worse, they also lost Jayson Tatum to what appeared to be a serious injury. Brown finished the game with 20 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.

On the strength of a 39-point performance by Jalen Brunson, another fantastic fourth quarter from Mikal Bridges and by far their best offensive showing of the series, the New York Knicks took a 3-1 series lead against the Boston Celtics with a 121-113 win in Game 4 on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Brown finished with 19 points, hitting a pair of threes and applying constant pressure through aggressive drives. While Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard lit up the scoreboard from outside, it was Brown’s interior presence that often initiated Boston’s best offensive sequences.

While speaking on First Take Thursday morning, Windhorst revealed that the Celtics "could break up if they lose this series," especially given the fact that the reigning champions have so many inflated contracts that go beyond their star-studded duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown.