Celtics Confirm Worst-Case Scenario For Injured Jayson Tatum

It looked like Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered a catastrophic injury late in the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the New York Knicks on Monday night.

The Celtics confirmed as much Tuesday evening.

The Celtics released a statement that Tatum did, in fact, rupture his right Achilles tendon, which not only ends this season for the 27-year-old forward but also puts his availability for the 2025-26 campaign well in doubt, too.

“Celtics forward Jayson Tatum today underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon,” the Celtics said in a statement. “No timetable is currently available for his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.”

Tatum seemed to know the extent of his injury as he writhed in pain on the court at Madison Square Garden. The non-contact injury occurred as Tatum went for a loose ball, and he immediately went down and grabbed at his right ankle area. Tatum had to be helped off the floor and was shown in a wheelchair once exiting the playing area.

Tatum was in the middle of one of his best playoff performances of his career before sustaining the major injury. He tallied 42 points on 16-for-28 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks.

Now, Tatum faces a very lengthy rehabilitation process in the prime of his career. Kevin Durant sat out the entire 2019-20 season after suffering his Achilles injury in the 2019 NBA Finals.

“It’s very concerning,” Al Horford told reporters after Boston’s Game 4 loss, per MassLive’s Brian Robb and Souichi Terada. “Just from the care that I have for him and what he means to us, what he means to Boston. Just very tough for us. More importantly, it’s just really tough for him right now.”

The Celtics will return to the floor without Tatum and face elimination Wednesday night when they go up against the Knicks in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Tipoff from TD Garden is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.