Boston Celtics fans are holding their breath after Jayson Tatum suffered a right ankle injury late in Game 4 against the New York Knicks on Monday night. With just over three minutes remaining in the game, Tatum collapsed to the floor in visible pain and had to be carried off by trainers, unable to put any weight on his right leg.
Shortly after, cameras caught Tatum in a wheelchair in the tunnel at Madison Square Garden, with his head buried in his hands. The Celtics went on to lose 121-113, falling behind 3-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
What Happened?
— . (@dphoop2425) May 13, 2025
Tatum appeared to suffer the injury during a non-contact play. He immediately signaled for a timeout and was helped off the floor without ever attempting to stand or walk on the leg.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla offered limited details in the postgame press conference, describing it only as a “lower-body injury” and confirming that Tatum is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
Tatum’s Night Before the Injury
Before going down, Tatum was having a monster performance:
- 42 points
- 8 rebounds
- 4 assists
- 4 steals
- 2 blocks
- 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-16 from deep
He had just tied the game at 102 with an and-one finish minutes before the injury.
Reactions Pour In
As news of the injury spread, well-wishes poured in from across the sports world.
NBA fans, analysts, and players all expressed concern over the timing and severity of the injury, especially given how crucial Tatum is to Boston’s title hopes.
What This Means for the Celtics
Jayson Tatum was emotional while leaving the game in a wheelchair from a non-contact injury. pic.twitter.com/ZtUGRedUzg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 13, 2025
The Celtics are now facing elimination in Game 5, which takes place Wednesday in Boston. As of now, Tatum’s availability is in serious doubt. Even if he’s cleared to play, the severity of the ankle injury and his ability to move at full strength will be key questions.
This could shift the Celtics’ playoff strategy entirely, forcing the likes of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porziņģis to take on expanded roles.
Outlook Going Forward
Boston’s hopes of repeating as NBA champions took a major hit Monday night. Tatum’s injury casts a cloud not just over the next game, but over the remainder of the postseason.
While the team awaits official imaging results, all eyes are on Tuesday’s MRI. Until then, Celtics fans will be holding out hope that their star forward avoided serious damage.
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