The Boston Celtics blew another big lead in Game 4 of their second-round series against the New York Knicks, but the loss seemingly paled in importance to what happened to star forward Jayson Tatum near the end of the contest.
He suffered an apparent noncontact injury to his right leg with around three minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Tatum spent some time on the floor writhing in pain before he was helped off the court. The 27-year-old couldn’t put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off.
According to a report from an anonymous NBA source, Tatum suffered an injury involving his Achilles tendon, which is the part of the body that many fans feared he hurt.
“Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered an injury involving his Achilles tendon in the final minutes of Monday’s loss to the New York Knicks, an NBA source tells SportsCenter 5,” Duke Castiglione, Danae Bucci and Phil Tenser relayed.
“The severity of the injury is still being evaluated, the source said.”
Folks are still waiting for an official announcement and diagnosis from the Celtics regarding Tatum’s scary injury on Monday night, however.
The injury is a devastating blow for a player who has enjoyed consistent availability since coming into the league. The six-time All-Star has never suited up in fewer than 64 games in a single campaign, and he played in 72 games with the Celtics in the 2024-25 regular season.
If Tatum misses an extended period of time with his injury, it could have major ramifications for the Celtics’ future. Boston is built to win now with veterans like Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, but the team might not have what it takes to contend for the 2026 NBA title as currently constructed sans Tatum.
The Celtics have an incredibly high payroll as well, and the new ownership group might not be bullish on running it back with a squad that will have potentially been bounced in the second round and is missing perhaps its best player. Boston is still kicking in the playoffs but seems bound for a second-round exit following Tatum’s injury and its Game 4 loss.
Monday was a dark day for Celtics fans, and especially in light of the report indicating that Tatum’s injury involves his Achilles tendon, folks should not expect to see the forward on the floor for the team again anytime soon.
