The Boston Celtics fell to the Brooklyn Nets tonight, 123-109, in Game 5 to officially end the Celtics season, losing the first round series 4-1 to the Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden proved to be too much for the depleted Celtic roster, as the three combined for 83 points tonight, including a 34-10-10 triple-double for Harden.
Jayson Tatum did his best to keep the Celtics alive without Kemba Walker, Robert Williams, and obviously Jaylen Brown, finishing the game with 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists on 12-of-27 shooting from the floor.
Tatum, coming off a 40-point performance in Game 4, averaged 30.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks. The former Duke Blue Devil scored 50 points in Boston’s sole win in the series in Game 3.
Kyrie Irving asked fans to ‘keep it hoop’ for his return to Boston, but neither they nor he could entirely manage it. https://t.co/vqjP4OJA1y
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 2, 2021
Walker missed his second consecutive game while dealing with a medial bone bruise in his left knee. Williams also missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle.
Evan Fournier added 18 points in another playoff start due to injury. Romeo Langford, making his second straight playoff start, showed flashes, scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
For Boston, it’s back to the drawing board for Danny Ainge and company following a first round exit. An offseason with many looming questions regarding the make-up of this roster awaits.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
