Angelica Ciulla •May 13, 2025 12:07 PM EDT

Angelica Ciulla • May 13, 2025 12:07 PM EDT Superstar Jayson Tatum suffers a devastating late fourth quarter injury, leading to the Celtics’ loss against the Knicks.

Tatum’s Injury Derails Celtics’ Hopes: Achilles Tear Ends Superstar’s Season

Tragedy struck in Madison Square Garden last night in the fourth game of the Knicks and Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series. Superstar power forward Jayson Tatum was having quite the night, scoring 42 points, while also playing some of the best defense we’ve ever seen from him.

Through the third and fourth quarters, the Celtics and the Knicks were trading 3’s in a shootout battle. That was until disaster unfolded when Jayson Tatum suffered a non-contact injury late in the fourth quarter. It appears that Tatum may have suffered a potential Achilles tear, which would leave him out for the rest of the playoffs and most of the 2025-2026 season. 

As Tatum was assisted off the court, Karl-Anthony Towns and other players of both the Knicks and Celtics applauded him, showing their respects. Tatum was later seen being taken to the locker room in a wheelchair, visibly in pain.

In his post-game press conference, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson took a moment to give his prayers and condolences to Jayson Tatum. Shortly after, a wave of support poured in through social media from several other members of the NBA, offering prayers and condolences to Tatum, such as Lebron James and ex-Celtics’ guard Isaiah Thomas. 

It is hard to tell what this means for the rest of the Celtics’ season and how this will affect next season. What we do know is players like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will be left to step it up while Tatum is recovering from this catastrophe.

Edited by

Angelica Ciulla

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