Metropolitan support for injured Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum continues to pour in as the New York Knicks' conference semifinal playoff series with the defe

The Celtics completed step one, which was to stave off elimination by beating the Knicks in Game 5 of their Eastern ... "I'm devastated by this and I appreciate all the love and support from everyone," Tatum wrote to Miller. "This injury will not define ...

Tatum suffered what appeared to be a serious lower leg injury late in the fourth quarter. He writhed in pain on the court, had to be carried off by Celtics staffers and was seen on ESPN’s broadcast riding in a wheelchair after exiting down the tunnel.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla said Wednesday afternoon that Tatum, who is out for the foreseeable future after rupturing his right Achilles at the end of Game 4, sent a message to players and Celtics staffers with the team down 3-1 to the Knicks. When pressed on what Tatum actually said, Mazzulla seemingly bristled.

NBA on TNT provided the broadcast for Wednesday's Game 5 showdown, and Reggie Miller revealed during the contest that he received a text message directly from Tatum.

The Celtics blew a 14-point lead, then lost their best player to injury in a Game 4 loss to the Knicks that pushed the defending champions to the brink of elimination.

The Celtics star spoke out on social media on Wednesday for the first time since tearing his right Achilles tendon in Monday’s Game 4 loss to the Knicks.

Sam Hauser is available for the Celtics. No Knicks players are on the injury report. The game tips at 7 p.m. on TNT.

"I feel for him," Brunson said. "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, meaning he has a lot of time to make an impact and make a name for his legacy. What he's done is special."