Celtics' Jaylen Brown notches career-high assists to make up for Jayson Tatum's injury absence

The Celtics are missing one of their Jays.

But importantly, Boston still had one on Wednesday night in a win-or-go-home Game 5 against the Knicks. And Jaylen Brown made the most of his leadership load in Jayson Tatum's absence after his devastating Achilles injury.

Brown totaled 26 points and eight rebounds, but those weren't the highlight of his stat line.

The superstar also dished out 12 assists, a career-high. He'd only ever reached 11, which he did twice in the regular season in 2022.

The Celtics needed exactly a performance like this.

Without Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown has 26 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds and just two turnovers. A patient, controlled and big game from him when the Celtics needed it.

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Brown will need to do it again.

The Knicks still hold a 3-2 series advantage and are now going back to Madison Square Garden for Game 6.

But without his performance Wednesday night, there'd be no Game 6 to begin with.

Boston is alive, Brown is cooking (as are Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Luke Kornet) and the Celtics' hopes of defending their NBA championship aren't dead yet.

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