A Devastating Setback at Madison Square Garden
On the night of May 12, 2025, the Boston Celtics suffered a crushing defeat in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Franchise mainstay and five-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum suffered a non-contact lower-leg injury late in the fourth quarter, casting a dark cloud over the defending champions' postseason aspirations. While the Knicks held on for a 121-113 win to take a 3-1 series lead, Tatum's injury has sparked widespread concerns about his health, the Celtics' playoff chances, and the team's future. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of Tatum's injury, its immediate and long-term impact, and the latest developments as of May 13, 2025.
Injury: What happened to Jayson Tatum?
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| Tatum Down: The Injury That Shook the Celtics’ 2025 Playoff Run |
The moment that changed the game
With just three minutes remaining in Game 4, the Celtics were trailing the Knicks 111-104. Jaylen Brown lost possession, and Tatum swooped for the loose ball. As he put his right foot forward, his foot twisted, and he fell in pain, holding his lower leg above the ankle. The non-contact nature of the injury immediately raised alarm, and trainers rushed to him. Unable to bear weight on his right leg, Tatum was carried off the court and was later seen in a wheelchair, covering his face in discomfort.
Initial diagnosis and speculation
After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla described the injury as a "lower-body injury", and said Tatum would undergo an MRI on Tuesday, May 13, to determine its severity. However, the visual evidence—as well as Tatum's inability to walk—has fueled speculation of a serious injury, with many suspecting a ruptured Achilles tendon. Former NBA player Jalen Rose predicted while speaking on NBA TV, "It looks like it's going to be an Achilles," a sentiment that was reiterated by sports injury analyst Dr. Jesse Morse on X, who said the injury's characteristics matched an Achilles rupture
. If the Achilles rupture is confirmed, Tatum would miss the remainder of the 2025 playoffs and potentially the entire 2025-26 NBA season
Jayson Tatum had a stellar performance before the injury
Before suffering the injury in the playoffs, Tatum was putting up a postseason performance befitting his superstar status. In Game 4, he scored a playoff-high 42 points, including seven three-pointers, while also adding eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals. His scoring outburst tied him with Celtics legends Larry Bird and John Havlicek for the most 40-point playoff games in franchise history.
Through seven playoff games in 2025, Tatum led the Celtics in points (26.8 per game), rebounds (8.7) and assists (6.0) with a 34.3% three-point shooting percentage. His impact on the court was undeniable, with Boston outscoring opponents by 12.4 points per 100 possessions when he played, while they outscored them when he was off the court.
Resilience despite past injuries
Tatum's durability has been a hallmark of his career, making this injury all the more surprising. Earlier in the 2025 playoffs, he missed Game 2 against the Orlando Magic after bruising a bone in his right wrist in a mid-air collision. Despite the injury, he returned in subsequent games to average 36 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists on 68.1% true shooting, showing his ability to play through pain. However, the severity of the Game 4 injury hints at a far greater challenge.
Celtics vs. Knicks Series: Context and Key Moments
Game 4 Summary
The Knicks' 121-113 win in Game 4 was a tale of resilience. Boston took a 14-point lead in the third quarter, fueled by Tatum's scoring and a barrage of three-pointers (18 total). However, New York came back, led by Jalen Brunson’s 39 points and 12 assists, Mikal Bridges' 23 points (12 in the fourth), Karl-Anthony Towns' 23 points and 12 rebounds and OG Anunoby’s 20 points (including a momentum-changing dunk over Tatum).
The Knicks' lead in the second half and Boston's defensive lapses turned the game around. By the time Tatum went down, New York had gained control and the Celtics' hopes of tying the series at 2-2 were fading.
Series outlook
With a 3-1 lead, the Knicks are in a commanding position heading into Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday, May 14. Boston has shown resilience in his absence before, posting a 9-2 record without him this season, including a Game 2 win over Orlando thanks to Jaylen Brown's 36 points. However, overcoming a 3-1 deficit against a resurgent Knicks team inspired by Brunson’s playmaking and the Madison Square Garden crowd will require a herculean effort. Impact on
the Boston Celtics' short-term challenges
Tatum's absence leaves a major hole in Boston's lineup. As the team's main scorer, playmaker and defensive anchor, his contributions are irreplaceable. Payton Pritchard, the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year, emerged as a potential replacement in Game 4, averaging 11.4 points per game in the playoffs. Coach Mazzulla can insert Pritchard into the starting lineup or rely on him for extended bench minutes, but it's unrealistic to expect him to replicate Tatum's production.
Jaylen Brown, who won the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP in 2024, will need to further elevate his game, while veterans like Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis (currently battling a mysterious illness) will have to step up. The Celtics' depth, which was a strength during their 2024 championship run, will be tested as they struggle to extend the series.
Long-term consequences
If Tatum's MRI confirms an Achilles' rupture, the implications for Boston extend far beyond the 2025 playoffs. The Celtics are facing a projected $227 million payroll for the 2025-26 season, with a luxury tax bill of nearly $280 million — the highest in NBA history. Tatum's $54 million salary is a quarter of that commitment, and his potential absence could force the front office to rethink its roster construction.
Some analysts, such as Billy Heynen of Sporting News, suggest that Tatum's prolonged absence could prompt Boston to look to rebuild, possibly trading Brown for draft assets such as the Knicks' haul for Mikal Bridges. However, such a move would be controversial given Brown and Tatum's role in delivering Boston's 18th championship in 2024 and their long-standing partnership since 2017.
Expert opinion and NBA community reactions
Medical and analytical perspectives
Sports injury experts are cautiously pessimistic about Tatum's prognosis. The non-contact nature of the injury, coupled with his immediate pain and inability to walk, coincides with the symptoms of an Achilles rupture. Dr. Jesse Morse emphasized the likelihood of a tear, noting that alternative injuries such as an ankle sprain or fracture are less probable. Recovery from an Achilles rupture typically involves surgery and a 6–12-month rehabilitation process
Jalen Rose described the injury as a "sad turn of events" for a team with championship aspirations, while Quentin Richardson expressed hope for a less severe outcome.
Support from peers
The NBA community has rallied around Tatum. Frequent playoff rival LeBron James posted "Big Deuce" on X, an allusion to Tatum's nickname, indicating their mutual respect. Former Celtics star Isaiah Thomas and Knicks players such as Brunson and Towns also expressed support, with Brunson saying, "I'm praying for the best... You never want to see anything like that." Even Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau expressed hope that Tatum's injury is not serious, emphasizing the league's sense of camaraderie.
Controversy and speculation
Injury storyline and media coverage
While there is no major controversy surrounding the injury, rampant speculation about the Achilles rupture has sparked debate. Some fans and analysts argue that the diagnosis was premature, as Celtics management such as Rose and Morse remained silent, with no official statement coming until May 13, further adding to the uncertainty.
Celtics' financial burden
Tatum's potential long-term absence has rekindled discussions about Boston's financial strategy. Critics argue the team's hefty payroll, built around Tatum and Brown, leaves little flexibility if a star player is sidelined. Supporters say the front office's "all-in" approach was justified given the 2024 title and that trading core players would betray the team's championship identity.
What's next for Tatum and the Celtics?
Waiting for MRI results
The basketball world awaits Tatum's MRI results, which are expected to be announced on May 13 or 14
Game 5 and Beyond
the Celtics host the Knicks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET in Game 5, a must-win to keep their title defense alive. Without Tatum, Boston will rely on its depth and home court advantage at TD Garden. If the series goes ahead, the Knicks will host Game 6, with a potential Game 7 in Boston.
For New York, finishing the series would be a crucial step toward their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, ending a 52-year title drought. The Knicks' balanced attack, led by Brunson, Bridges and Towns, has proven formidable, but Boston's resiliency can't be underestimated.
Conclusion: Jayson Tatum's injury in Game 4 against the Knicks, a franchise at a crossroads,
is a defining moment for the Boston Celtics. His 42-point masterpiece, interrupted by a potentially career-altering injury, epitomizes the ups and downs of playoff basketball. As the Celtics prepare for a do-or-die Game 5, the uncertainty surrounding Tatum's health looms large, which could have ramifications for the team's immediate playoff hopes and long-term future.
The NBA community, from fans to players and coaches, is holding its breath for Tatum's diagnosis, hoping for a quick recovery for one of the league's brightest stars. Whether Boston bounces back without him or faces a rebuild, this injury underscores the frailty of even the most promising dynasties. Stay tuned for updates as the Celtics and Knicks clash in a dramatic Game 5.
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