Jayson Tatum Injury Shocks Celtics as Knicks Take Lead/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jayson Tatum suffered a serious right leg injury late in Game 4 of the Celtics-Knicks series, prompting concern throughout the NBA. The All-Star forward will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of the damage. Boston now trails 3–1 in the series and faces elimination in Game 5.
Tatum Injury Fallout Quick Looks:
- Jayson Tatum carried off court late in Game 4
- Suffered non-contact leg injury above the right ankle
- Celtics trail Knicks 3–1 in Eastern Conference semifinals
- MRI scheduled for Tuesday to assess full injury scope
- Tatum scored 42 points before collapsing in pain
- Emotional scene as Tatum wheeled off in visible distress
- Jaylen Brown and teammates express shock, support
- Celtics face must-win Game 5 in Boston Wednesday
- Tatum previously injured wrist in opening playoff round
- Boston prepares to move forward with or without him
Deep Look: Jayson Tatum Injury Casts Shadow Over Celtics Playoff Run
NEW YORK — The Boston Celtics’ playoff hopes suffered a devastating blow Monday night when star forward Jayson Tatum was carried off the floor late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. The non-contact injury to his lower right leg left teammates, fans, and coaches stunned, overshadowing a game in which Tatum had scored a postseason-best 42 points.
With just under three minutes remaining and the Celtics trailing, Tatum lunged toward a loose ball after a Boston turnover. As he moved forward, his right leg gave way, and he immediately collapsed to the hardwood. Grimacing in pain and clutching the area above his ankle, Tatum buried his face in a towel as medical staff rushed to his side.
Typically resilient, Tatum is known for bouncing back quickly from hard falls — a reputation that made Monday’s scene even more alarming.
“He’s the type of guy, he gets right up,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said in the postgame press conference. “So he didn’t, and we’ll know tomorrow exactly what it is. But yeah, I mean it’s tough to watch a guy like him get carried like that.”
Tatum was eventually helped to the locker room and later seen being wheeled down the tunnel, covering his face in anguish. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury, leaving his availability for Game 5 — and potentially the rest of the postseason — in serious doubt.
Celtics Face Elimination as Knicks Take Commanding Lead
The injury occurred during a tightly contested matchup at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks ultimately defeated the Celtics 121–113 to take a 3–1 series lead. The Celtics must now win Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday to keep their title defense alive.
“It’s a tough night,” Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said. “We lost the game, which is hard enough. But the concern for JT — it’s a lot. Everyone’s kind of at a loss for words right now.”
Tatum’s injury comes at a critical time. The eight-year NBA veteran led Boston to its 18th championship last season and has been instrumental in their postseason efforts this year. Monday’s 42-point performance was his highest scoring outing in the 2025 playoffs.
Tatum’s Health a Familiar Playoff Concern
This isn’t the first health scare for Tatum in this postseason. During Game 1 of the first-round series against Orlando, he suffered a hard fall on a dunk attempt and injured his right wrist. Though he remained in the game initially, he missed Game 2 — marking the first playoff absence of his career. Boston won that game without him, but repeating that feat against a surging Knicks squad presents a far greater challenge.
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis acknowledged the emotional toll of seeing a teammate like Tatum go down but emphasized the need to push forward.
“Obviously it’s tough to see, but who hasn’t had injuries, you know?” he said. “It’s a part of this sport, part of this game and we feel for him, of course. But we have to move forward. He don’t want us to be over here sad and not play our best basketball.”
Knicks Sensing Opportunity
With Tatum’s status uncertain, the Knicks are now in control of the series and looking to close it out on the road. Led by Jalen Brunson and a balanced attack, New York capitalized late in the game after Tatum’s departure, pulling away with timely shots and defensive stops.
The Celtics, who entered the series as defending champions, now face the possibility of an early exit unless they can rally around each other in Tatum’s absence.
“It’s about stepping up,” Mazzulla said. “We’re not just going to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. This team has heart. We’ve got to show it now.”
Whether Boston can survive another playoff game without their franchise cornerstone remains to be seen. But with Tatum’s MRI looming and their season on the brink, the Celtics will need every ounce of resilience they can muster.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.