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As the final minutes Game 4 played on inside Madison Square Garden, Jayson Tatum sat in a wheelchair, hands over his face, while being wheeled to an area for further evaluation.
Not long before, the Celtics superstar had crumpled to the floor while attempting to corral a loose ball and laid on the floor in agonizing pain and had to be helped off the court.
“Jayson Tatum, you can see, distraught right now,” ESPN announcer Mike Breen said while the network showed Tatum in the wheelchair.
That Tatum languished in such clear pain for a such long period of time had many fearing the worst beyond just the series ramifications that the Celtics are now trailing 3-1 after their 120-113 loss Monday.
The one-time NBA champion is set to undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday that many worry will confirm a possible Achilles or ACL injury that could potentially sideline him for most — if not all — of the 2026 campaign.
“Tatum’s played 1,500 more minutes than anyone else in the league since being drafted and has missed consecutive games for an injury only once in his career,” X user @lissmx14 posted. “If that’s a torn Achilles at age-27 that’s beyond devastating for a guy that’s been the definition of Ironman.”
Tatum’s injury is one that could have league-wide ripple effects if the diagnosis is as serious as many project and it doesn’t seem there is much hope that somehow this is a minor ailment.
Dr. Evan Jeffries, a physical therapist, said the video has him concerned about a possible Achilles tear.
“HERE is the other view and I still don’t like the outlook for Jayson Tatum,” Jeffries posted of a clip showing the back angle that shows the back of Tatum’s legs. “You can see a vibration up the right calf after the Step Back. Signs of a possible -Achilles Tear.”
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Not only would a serious injury all but end this Eastern Conference semifinals and mark a disappointing follow-up to their 2024 championship, the Celtics could now be in for a rough summer.
There are already rumblings that changes are coming for the franchise under new ownership due to luxury tax issues and the Celtics may have to compete with Tatum sidelined for a lengthy period.
“Jayson Tatum has been consistently healthy and available his entire career, and a potential Achilles injury is a sick twist of fate. The reality of the situation is starting to sink in,” X user @nickmelanson_ posted. “This team could look very different the next time Tatum steps on the court.”
Before the obituary is written on the Celtics’ season, though, they still have to be defeated one more time and they enter Wednesday’s Game 5 as a four-point favorite at DraftKings.
“That’s our brother and hate to see him go down and we know the type of guy he is,” Celtics wing Derrick White said. “We just gotta find a way to win Game 5.”
