The Boston Celtics dominated the New York Knicks on Wednesday night without Jayson Tatum, and some people do not believe that was a coincidence. Kevin Durant seems to think those people are crazy.
During Thursday’s edition of “The Facility” on FS1, analyst Emmanuel Acho explained why he believes the Celtics are a tougher team without Tatum. Acho, a former NFL linebacker, thinks Boston will match up better against the Knicks now that Jaylen Brown is in a position to lead.
“The Boston Celtics match up better versus the New York Knicks without Jayson Tatum than they do with of Jayson Tatum — not because of talent, exclusively because of mindset. … A team is a reflection of its leader,” Acho said. “Jaylen Brown, I don’t think, is a better player than Jayson Tatum, but I do believe Jaylen Brown is a more physical player than Jayson Tatum. I do believe he plays a tougher brand of basketball than Jayson Tatum. The difference between the Celtics and Knicks at this point in time, the delta between the Celtics and the Knicks isn’t talent, it’s toughness. And now that Jaylen Brown is the leader, it’s a tougher basketball team.”
The Celtics beat the Knicks 127-102 in Game 5 to extend their Eastern Conference semifinals series. Boston built a massive lead again but did not blow it like they did in previous games against New York. Acho thinks the Celtics would have had a tougher time closing out if Tatum were on the floor.
Durant responded to Acho’s take via social media.
“Hot take artist (sic) have ruined the sport. Football guys, no disrespect but yall (sic) boys need to stay In ya (sic) lanes, u (sic) don’t know what it’s like it between these lines man give it a break. Dudes who quit football early to pursue media talkin (sic) mental toughness, cut it out,” Durant wrote on X.
Hot take artist have ruined the sport. Football guys, no disrespect but yall boys need to stay In ya lanes, u don’t know what it’s like it between these lines man give it a break. Dudes who quit football early to pursue media talkin mental toughness, cut it out
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) May 15, 2025
Acho was simply doing his job as an analyst, but a lot of what he said seemed like an overreaction. Tatum is one of the best players in the NBA and had 42 points in Game 4 prior to suffering a devastating injury. It seems a bit silly to say he was part of the problem for the Celtics just because Boston showed up in Game 5.
If the Celtics go on to win the series, more people will probably agree with Acho. Then again, the Knicks have a long history of choking, so that would be right on-brand for them.
