Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs after undergoing surgery on Tuesday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the team announced, MySportDab Reports.
The injury occurred late in Game 4 of the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks, which Boston lost 121-113. Tatum collapsed after a non-contact play with 2:58 remaining and had to be helped off the court.
It was a crushing blow, as the 27-year-old had delivered a stellar 42-point performance—his best of the postseason.
Tatum, who led the Celtics in scoring (28.1 PPG), rebounding (11.5 RPG), and assists (5.4 APG) this postseason, was key to Boston’s title hopes. No timeline has been given for his return, though comparisons are being drawn to Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury in 2019, which kept him out for an entire season.
With the Celtics trailing the series 3-1, their path to a comeback is daunting—only 13 teams in NBA history have ever recovered from such a deficit. The loss of Tatum, combined with ongoing issues for Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, makes the challenge even steeper.
Brown remains confident despite the adversity. “We’ve got enough in this locker room,” he said. “I believe in my guys.”
Tatum’s long-term absence also complicates Boston’s financial future. The Celtics face a projected $280 million tax bill next season, with their payroll exceeding $225 million.
New ownership, having agreed to a $6.1 billion purchase in March, may be forced to consider trimming salaries, potentially reshaping the roster.
Tatum’s five-year, $314 million deal begins next season, while Brown is already in the first year of his $304 million contract. The injury could prompt a significant offseason shift for the Celtics.
