Knicks know they cant worry about anyone else despite Jayson Tatums Celtics return
DENVER — A rival and a big-time threat to the Knicks is adding a prime star with enough time to find a rhythm before the playoffs.But Jalen Brunson is happy for Jayson Tatum.Health, Brunson said, trumps everything.“You wish good health for everybody.
Obviously, you want to beat everybody you play against.But you don’t wish any negative on anybody, no matter the rivalry,” Brunson said Friday, just hours before Tatum was scheduled to return to the Celtics from his Achilles surgery.
“Or whoever you like or don’t like.It doesn’t matter.
You want everyone healthy and going home in one piece.”Brunson watched Tatum’s Achilles explode in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semis about 10 months ago, when the Knicks were steering toward a 3-1 series lead at MSG.Tatum had 42 points that night, which was the last game he played until Boston’s matchup Friday against the Mavericks.“He was torching us.
He was torching us.He was playing great,” said Brunson, whose head-to-heads with Tatum go back to high school.
“At first I thought he just rolled his ankle.And, obviously, I saw the reaction, saw everything, and it was clearly much worse.
But I have nothing but great things to say about him.I’ve known him for a very long time.
Great work ethic.Great person.
I wish him nothing but the best on his return.”Achilles tears have recently been a full year recovery for NBA players, but Tatum was committed to returning this season and the Celtics offered a competitive situation for the 28-year-old to rejoin.Riding borderline MVP candidate Jaylen Brown, Boston is No.
2 in the East and entered Friday 1 ½ games clear of No.3 New York.If the playoffs started today, the Knicks and Celtics would be set up for another second-round showdown.The Celtics were heavily favored a year ago, but the Knicks pulled off a couple of miracle comebacks in Beantown before burying their opponent in six games — including the clincher with Tatum shelved.“Obviously, whoever ...