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via Imago

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When you’ve got playoff momentum, you guard it with your life. That’s the mood around the Boston Celtics as they head into Game 4 against the New York Knicks. After a rollercoaster start to the series, Boston finally managed to stop the bleeding with a commanding 115-93 win in Game 3. But even with the series tightening and the stakes growing, Celtics fans weren’t just worried about the scoreboard. They were anxious about something far more fragile: health.

It’s the kind of tension that creeps up when your top guys are logging big minutes night after night. Even a small knock or ankle tweak can spiral into something that changes the trajectory of an entire postseason. So, when names like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown pop up alongside injury speculation or fatigue concerns; fans hold their breath. And when updates about Sam Hauser being listed as questionable hit the airwaves, the question snowballed into something bigger: Are the Celtics healthy enough to hold the line in Game 4?

The answer, at least for now, is one the Celtics faithful will gladly take. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are fully available and set to play in Game 4, as per ESPN. The only name on Boston’s injury list is Sam Hauser, who remains questionable with an ankle issue, per Taylor Snow of the Celtics’ official site. That’s it. No last-minute surprises. No cryptic designations. Boston’s big guns are locked in and ready for battle, and that’s a problem the Knicks will need to solve.

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There’s good reason to be optimistic if you’re a Celtics fan. Tatum is averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists this postseason, while Brown continues to chip in with a steady 21.0 points per game. But this series hasn’t been about stat-padding. It’s been about resilience.

And in Game 3, both stars showed up not just in the box score, but with the kind of hunger that silences critics. Tatum, who passed Kobe Bryant’s playoff scoring total before turning 27, is rewriting what legacy means in Boston. And Brown? He’s no sidekick; he’s been just as crucial in stabilizing the Celtics’ shaky defense when it mattered most.

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So yes, the scoreboard in Game 3 brought relief. But more importantly, so did the availability report. For a Celtics squad still finding its defensive footing and trying to avoid another 20-point collapse, having a healthy duo leading the charge could be the difference between another comeback story. Or, a flatline finish. With Tatum and Brown both suiting up, Boston’s fight is far from over; it’s just getting sharper.

What’s your perspective on:

Is Jayson Tatum rewriting Boston's legacy, or is defensive urgency the real key to victory?

Have an interesting take?

The Legacy Battle Isn’t Just Statistical: Jayson Tatum Eyes Perfection

As the postseason spotlight intensifies, Jayson Tatum isn’t just stacking points—he’s stacking legacy moments. With 2,894 career playoff points before age 27, he’s leapfrogged the legendary Kobe Bryant and is sitting just behind LeBron James among under-27 players. But as Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade reminded everyone, greatness isn’t built solely on scoring.

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“You may not make another shot for the rest of the game… You’ve got to win on the defensive end of the floor,” Wade said in a pointed message aimed straight at Tatum and the Celtics.

It wasn’t just a hot take; it was a wake-up call. Despite Tatum’s brilliance, the Celtics blew two 20-point leads at home earlier in this series. The message? Stats alone won’t carry you through May. It’s defensive urgency that counts. And Wade’s comments highlight what Boston still needs to polish if they want to keep their championship dreams alive.

Now, with both stars available and focused, the Celtics are expected to stick with their familiar core lineup heading into Game 4-

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POSNAMERATING
PGJrue Holiday87
SGDerrick White77
SFJaylen Brown86
PFJason Tatum92
CKristaps Porzingis84

So, who do you think will be reaching the Conference Finals? Will Boston continue to hit back, or will they be pushed to the edge, just one loss away from crashing out? What is known for now, is that it’s going to be a hell of a Game 4.

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Is Jayson Tatum rewriting Boston's legacy, or is defensive urgency the real key to victory?

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