Everything is on the line for the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night as they fight to stay alive in their second-round NBA playoffs series against the New York Knicks.
The Celtics, who are now without Jayson Tatum for the remainder of the season due to a torn right Achilles, enter Game 5 on Wednesday down 3-1 in the series and just one loss away from elimination.
This is exactly why the team was playing with a noticeable sense of urgency as they fought to keep their season alive. So much so that Celtics star Jaylen Brown got into a heated altercation with Josh Hart early in the second half.
Hart was initially having words with Boston big man Al Horford, but the Knicks forward also had a few things to say to Brown during a brief confrontation.
Brown and Hart had to be separated by teammates and the coaching staff, and both players were slapped with technical fouls for their actions.
The game would go on without incident, but there's no denying that there's a palpable tension between these two teams.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)
© Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
It's the Celtics who are playing with a sense of desperation in Game 5, but the Knicks aren't backing down one bit. New York can smell blood, and it is clear that they are willing to do whatever it takes to close out this series at TD Garden on Wednesday night.
Should the Knicks win, they will secure their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. They will get to face the Indiana Pacers, who eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-1, on Tuesday.
A Boston victory, however, will force a Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on Friday.