Former NBA star blames Boston Celtics' loss on Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles, predicts Indiana Pacers will defeat New York Knicks

Following the Boston Celtics' heavy 119–81 defeat to the New York Knicks in Game 6, Celtics great Paul Pierce didn't hold back his thoughts. He blamed the loss on the absence of star Jayson Tatum, who tore his Achilles in Game 4, and questioned whether the Knicks' win was truly deserved. He also predicted that the Indiana Pacers would beat New York in the next Eastern Conference Finals, suggesting that the Knicks' victory was mainly due to facing a shorthanded Celtics squad.The Boston Celtics' dream of winning consecutive NBA titles was crushed after a heavy 119–81 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the series already at 3–2 against them, they had to play without their star player, Jayson Tatum, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 4. Jaylen Brown did his best with 20 points, but the team really struggled to score, as Jrue Holiday and Derrick White only contributed six points together.In an Instagram Live session, Paul Pierce voiced his frustration, stating, "We were injured, didn't have our star... But it's cool, we're gonna bounce back next year." He further commented on the Knicks' advancement, saying, "Pacers gonna pop y'all, though... Y'all beat an injured Celtics team."The Knicks celebrated their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000 with a big win. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each scored 23 points, Mikal Bridges had 22, and Karl-Anthony Towns put up 21. Plus, Josh Hart made history with the franchise's first playoff triple-double since 1972. They dominated the game, leading by 41 points and showing off their shooting and rebounding skills.The Knicks are gearing up to take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Game 1 happening this Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Pierce's comments highlight that Tatum's injury played a big role in the Celtics' loss, which puts a bit of a damper on the Knicks' victory.Also Read: “Steering wheel went limp” — Gilbert Arenas shares details of his son’s Cybertruck accident in Los AngelesAs the New York Knicks celebrate making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, Paul Pierce's comments bring attention to how Jayson Tatum's absence has hurt the Boston Celtics. With the Knicks set to battle the Indiana Pacers, there are doubts about whether their win against a struggling Celtics team was legit. This upcoming matchup will be a real test for the Knicks against a fully healthy opponent, which could either back up or contradict Pierce's views.