Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum went down with a brutal injury at the end of Game 4 against the New York Knicks. With three minutes to go, Tatum suffered a non-contact injury to his right leg and was writhing on the floor in pain. Fans around the NBA worried, but now the diagnosis is official. Jayson Tatum suffered a torn right Achilles and will be out for the foreseeable future. According to the Celtics, he underwent surgery today and is expected to make a recovery, but there is no timetable for his return.
Jayson Tatum’s Injury
With Jayson Tatum out and the Celtics down 3-1 to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston’s season is likely over. And what makes it sting even more is that Tatum was in the midst of one of his greatest playoff runs. He had 42 points on 16-of-28 shooting with seven three-pointers. But it was not just an offensive showcase. Tatum also had four steals and two blocks, putting his excellent two-way ability on full display. To see him go down with such a gruesome injury while he was playing so well makes the situation even more heartbreaking.
The Celtics will be without Tatum for not just these playoffs, but potentially all of next season. Achilles tears are brutal, even for iron men like Tatum. One of the most recent examples is Kevin Durant, who tore his Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals. He did not make an official return until December 2020, missing around 18 months. Jayson Tatum is just 27 years old, and this injury will take away years of his prime.
The Boston Celtics Future
Now, the Celtics have to face a world without Jayson Tatum. Rumors were already rampant of big changes to the team this offseason, and with Tatum down, contending for a championship in 2026 is very unlikely. Many like to call the Celtics a super team, but Tatum is the engine that makes the team run.
Now that he’s out and the team is over the second apron of the luxury tax, they could make some franchise-changing moves this offseason. But for now, they still have a playoff series to finish. Boston hosts the Knicks in Game 5 on Wednesday with their season on the line.
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