The Celtics had their backs against the wall in Game 5 on Wednesday night. The loss meant that the 2025 season was over. Ends your chances in the back-to-back championship.
At halftime in Game 5, it was tied to 59-59, with Boston fighting to get the game closer. A big run to start the third quarter gave Boston the spark they needed. The Celtics took control in the second half and won the game 127-102. Derrick White and Jalen Brown performed great offensively. However, backup center Luke Cornett was a nameless hero with a career-high seven blocks in Game 5.
Luke Cornett ruled Game 5 in 7 blocks on Wednesday
Luke Cornett tonight –
10 points
9 rebounds
7 blocks
100% FGHis life game.
🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/whdxsrzx4g
– Hoopcentral (@thehoopcentral) May 15, 2025
Against the Knicks in Game 5, the Celtics didn’t have all their NBA PF Jason Tatum. He burst Achilles late in the fourth quarter of Game 4. He successfully had a successful operation and finished for the 2025 playoffs. Without Tatum, Boston would have needed several players to step up to Game 5 and trade his production. Derrick White and Jalen Brown combined 60 points on Wednesday. White was 7-13 over the arc and 9-11 from the free throw line.
Center Christapsporzingis deals with troublesome upper respiratory tract viral diseases. It leaves him short of breath and unable to execute towards his normal standards. So head coach Joe Mazzola relied on backup big man Luke Cornett to fill in those minutes. When Boston needed it the most, Luke Cornett stepped up and played his best game in the 2025 postseason campaign.
In a 127-102 victory, Kornet received 10 points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven blocks. The 29-year-old ruled the game defensively, especially in the second half. He is the first player in NBA history to score 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks, and is a 5-5 shot from the field. It was an incredible game for Luke Corne. He looked like Prime Haixem Orajuwon, as he cut a shot in Game 5. Boston is still plunging 3-2 for the Knicks and will travel to New York on Friday for Game 6.