For one night, the Boston Celtics didn't need Jayson Tatum (Achilles). They beat the New York Knicks 127-102 at TD Garden without their injured superstar on Wednesday to stave off elimination and bring their series deficit to 3-2.
The Celtics leaned on 2024 Olympian Derrick White and '24 NBA Finals MVP Jayson Brown. The former notched 34 points (9-16 FG, 7-13 3 PT) with three rebounds, three blocks, and two assists, while the latter had 26 points (9-17 FG, 3-5 3 PT) with eight rebounds, 12 assists, and one steal.
However, fans are suspicious of referee bias after Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson picked up six fouls in 15 minutes, with five in just nine third-quarter minutes.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11).
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11).
© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
"Five fouls called on Jalen Brunson in nine minutes, eh? Very normal, reasonable stuff," one fan said.
"Brunson literally NEVER fouls out, this is hilarious," another one said.
"Coming into tonight, Jalen Brunson had played 546 total games in his career. He had fouled out in 4 of them," another one said. "Tonight, he picked up 6 fouls in a 15 minute span of a playoff game to foul out."
"5 fouls in 9 mins of Brunson bro they rigged him out of the game," another one said.
The 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year was asked about the fouls after the contest, via SNY.
"I'm not even gonna say anything, I'm sorry," he said.
"KAT being in foul trouble is completely understandable, but Jalen Brunson getting 5 fouls in the 3rd quarter let me know the game was rigged," another fan said.
"Why do we watch sports? We know it’s all rigged," another claimed. "Brunson literally got FIVE FOULS called on him in one quarter. FIVE! NBA, you have some explaining to do."
The Knicks and Celtics will play Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on Friday.