In the midst of the best individual season of his NBA career, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum has suffered a terrifying non-contact injury. Late in the fourth quarter of Boston's Game 4 encounter with the New York Knicks, Tatum went down in a sudden and alarming manner.
Speculation is mounting over what could've transpired, but the bottom line up to this point is that Tatum has suffered a potentially devastating injury.
Tatum and the Celtics were trailing the Knicks late in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. With its back against the wall, Boston turned to its franchise player with the hopes of a monumental late-game comeback to even the series at 2-2.
Unfortunately, Tatum landed awkwardly on a hard step and immediately went down to the court in what appeared to be excruciating pain.
It looked awful when watching it live, and the speculation that's run rampant in the immediate aftermath has only heightened the fear of the worst-case scenario.
Jayson Tatum injury speculated as torn Achilles
Shortly after the injury occurred, Jared Weiss of The Athletic relayed that Tatum was shown in a wheelchair—and shared the widespread fear that he tore his Achilles.
Respected sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer MD expressed the same sentiment, posting about his fear that Tatum tore his Achilles.
Unfortunately for those hoping for a more optimistic update, Celtics head Joe Mazzulla expressed his concern over Tatum's health and stated that the superstar will get an MRI on Tuesday, May 13.
If that proves to be the case, then it would be a devastating ending to a remarkable season from the defending NBA champion.
Joe Mazzulla: Jayson Tatum will get MRI on Tuesday, May 13
Tatum was magnificent up to the point that he was injured. He had posted 42 points on 16-of-28 shooting, silencing the criticism of his play up to that point in the series by leading the Celtics toward a potential upset on the road.
New York was still in control of the game, but Tatum was turning in a performance for the ages at The Mecca of Basketball.
Unfortunately, Tatum's series and season appear to have come to an end in the most unfortunate of ways. Speculation states that he's suffered an injury that strikes fear in the heart of every athlete around the world. Barring a miracle, he'll no longer be able to help the Celtics on the court in 2024-25.
It's a stunning twist of fate for a player who has epitomized durability.
Tatum has been one of the NBA's most durable players over the course of his already illustrious career. He's never missed more than 10 games in any of his eight seasons, and has often played through pain to put Boston on his back.
Unfortunately, a torn Achilles would be the type of injury that could put Tatum on the sideline for the remainder of 2025—and potentially part of 2026.
Tatum is only 27, which Celtics fans can take solace in when thinking about the worst-case scenario of an Achilles tear. He's young enough to bounce back from a potentially devastating injury and even return to the superstar level he's sustained throughout his career.
Everyone's body heals differently, but seeing Kevin Durant come back to sustain an All-NBA level of play while entering his 30s can only act as a source of optimism at a time like this.
Shams Charania: Celtics are preparing for the worst
On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN's Shams Charania revealed that Boston is prepping for the worst regarding the severity of Tatum's injury.
“The Boston Celtics are bracing for the worst around Jayson Tatum and that right foot," he said. "He underwent an MRI today in New York City. The Celtics, since last night, have been expecting a severe injury for Tatum.”