The Boston Celtics were supposed to defend their title. Instead, they were left speechless—and then stunned silent—after a 119–81 Game 6 blowout at Madison Square Garden sent them packing. But it was Jaylen Brown who put words to what everyone was feeling.
“Losing to the Knicks, you know, feels like death,” Brown said after the game. “But I was always taught that there’s life after death, so we’ll get ready for whatever’s next in the journey.”
— via Bleacher Report
“Losing to the Knicks, you know, feels like death.”
Jaylen Brown after being eliminated from playoffs
It was blunt. It was emotional. And it captured the mood in Boston better than any box score could.
Jaylen Brown Carried the Weight
With Jayson Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury, the pressure fell squarely on Brown’s shoulders to keep the Celtics’ season alive. After delivering in Game 5, he tried to do it again in Game 6—but foul trouble, turnovers, and New York’s defense made it a nightmare outing.
Brown scored 20 points before fouling out late in the third quarter, while also adding 7 turnovers to just 2 assists. He was visibly frustrated, increasingly emotional, and ultimately overwhelmed—a reflection of the Celtics’ unraveling in real time.
“Finishing in May feels weird. It’s definitely not something we were prepared for,” Brown told reporters.
— via ESPN
For Brown, it was a brutal ending to a rollercoaster season. As the reigning Finals MVP, he had spent months trying to quiet his critics and carry more of the load. And yet, despite the disappointment, his postgame words weren’t just about losing—they were about how much he had left to give.
Season Ends in Collapse
The Celtics were never in Game 6. They trailed wire-to-wire. They were outscored in the paint, on the glass, and out-hustled in just about every category.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t sugarcoat it:
“They outplayed us. They played better. You have to tip your hat off to the Knicks.”
— via ESPN
Boston shot just 33% in the first half and gave up 25 second-chance points. Luke Kornet got the start at center, but the Knicks dominated the paint regardless. Kristaps Porzingis was again a non-factor, averaging just 4.2 points in the series after returning from illness.
Celtics Face Uncertain Future
This wasn’t just the end of a season—it might’ve been the end of a chapter.
The Celtics are staring at a record payroll next year. Jayson Tatum is recovering from surgery on a torn Achilles and may miss the entire 2025–26 season. And the team is in the middle of a $6 billion ownership transition, with no clarity on future spending.
Even Derrick White sounded unsure about what’s next:
“You’ll never get this season back. You’re never going to have the exact same team again.”
— via ESPN
For Jaylen Brown, the emotional weight of the loss was immediate. For the rest of Boston, the long-term consequences are only just beginning to set in.
And as Brown said himself—there might be life after death. But right now, it still hurts.
