What was poised to be an NBA MVP campaign for Jayson Tatum has turned into an absolute nightmare. The Boston Celtics star, one of the league’s elite players, has just received the worst possible news for his team, which is struggling to salvage its season against the New York Knicks: a torn Achilles tendon in his right leg.
Images of Tatum in a wheelchair have gone viral worldwide, and he now faces a long and painful recovery process.
Precedents That Don’t Bode Well for the Celtics
The playoff series isn’t the only thing at stake for Boston-their once-bright future is also in jeopardy. Without one of their best players, who, despite his youth, faces an uncertain return timeline and condition, the team is left adrift.
Over the past 12 years, similar injuries have struck high-profile players like Kobe Bryant in 2013, who memorably shot his free throws in a historic moment. In 2017, it was Rudy Gay; in 2018, DeMarcus Cousins; and more recently, Kevin Durant in 2019.
Durant had the most successful recovery of this group, but his timeline raises alarm bells for the Celtics: he was injured at 30 and returned at 32. The big question is whether Joe Mazzulla’s team can afford to be without their star player for such an extended period.
Boston was the heavy favorite in the series but dropped the first two games at home and is now one loss away from elimination, compounded by the season’s worst news: Jayson Tatum’s injury.
With just over three minutes remaining, he was forced to leave the court due to the injury to his right leg, despite already posting an impressive 42 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.
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