New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson believes the NBA is better when Jayson Tatum is playing. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Brunson said the NBA "needs Jayson Tatum" in the wake of the Boston Celtics star undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles suffered in the Knicks' win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Brunson made his thoughts loud and clear as he shard them with the rest of the league ahead of the Knicks' showdown in Beantown. Jalen Brunson backs down Derrick White during the Knicks-Celtics game on May 12, 2025. "The league needs Jayson Tatum," Brunson reportedly said.

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