Knicks star praises injured Celtic: 'The league needs Jayson Tatum'

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson expressed empathy on Wednesday for injured Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum ahead of a crucial Game 5.

"I feel for him,” Brunson said, per CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning.

“It's an unfortunate situation for a player like him. The league needs Jayson Tatum.”

“What he's been able to do in his career has been remarkable. He still has a lot to do in his career, and he has a lot of time left to make an impact and make an ending for his legacy.”

“What he's done is special, so when you see a player like that go down, it's not good for the game."

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Tatum underwent successful surgery on Tuesday in New York City to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. The surgery reportedly proceeded without any complications.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reminded the basketball world about the massive minutes Tatum had logged over his career leading up to the tragic injury on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

“Tatum has played the most regular season and playoff contests of any player in the NBA since entering league in 2017 – 706 games – and led the Celtics in total points, rebounds and assists over the last two postseason runs, including the entire 2024 Finals en route to a title,” Charania wrote.

Boston will be relying on 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to up his production as the Celtics look to get back in the series.

Meanwhile, the Knicks seek their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000.

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