The Boston Celtics’ playoff motivation remained crushed after their star forward, Jayson Tatum, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. This unexpected setback added further complications as they are already struggling against the Knicks in the ongoing semifinal series.
The injury occurred with just a few minutes left in the fourth quarter while chasing a loose ball. He awkwardly fell on the court and immediately grabbed his lower leg. He didn’t even contact Knicks forward OG Anunoby on the play, but the pain was visible. As a result, he had to be carried off the court and, unfortunately, was seen in a wheelchair later.
Jayson Tatum’s Uncertainty Blurs The Semifinal Aspiration For The Boston Celtics
A ruptured Achilles is one of the most severe injuries in basketball, and it takes time to recover fully. That timeline puts Tatum’s return on the air for the rest of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The team officials confirmed that Tatum underwent successful surgery earlier in the day and is likely to recover fully. However, there is no official confirmation regarding his return.
Tatum demonstrated his vital role before his injury, delivering a historic Game 4 performance with 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, two blocks, and seven made threes. But all those efforts were not enough as Boston trailed by 3-1, and his absence created a major void within the team’s lineup.
The Celtics also face tough decisions this offseason. They have already committed $228 million in salary for next year, putting them deep into the huge tax. Now with Tatum probably to miss the significant games, team president Brad Stevens and Majority Owner Bil Chisholm might rework the roster to be a strong contender.
For now, the Celtics are focusing on their next fifth battle. But Tatum‘s unavailability is casting a huge shadow over this postseason and the teams’ plans for the upcoming season.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Also Read: Jayson Tatum Reflects On The Heavy Burden Of Being ‘That Guy’ Amid Celtics Playoff Struggles
