The 2024-2025 NBA season came to a tragic end for Jayson Tatum. The Boston Celtics star suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Monday night’s game against the New York Knicks, requiring surgery, according to a team statement.
Game 4 of the semifinals against the Knicks at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, was nearing completion when Tatum dove to retrieve a loose ball from the center of the arc. However, his right ankle twisted awkwardly, and he ended up rolling on the court.
The play continued to the other end of the court as Tatum lay on the floor writhing in pain. Finally, Celtics trainers helped him off the court and wheeled him to the locker room. The entire time, the player buried his face in his hands, a look of pain and dismay.
Tatum has already undergone surgery
Jayson underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the team announced in a statement. The front office explained that there is no timetable yet for his return, but they expect him to make a full recovery.
The Celtics lost Tuesday’s game 121-113 and will face Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday without Tatum. However, that took a backseat to the players’ priority list.
“The loss is the loss,” Al Horford admitted after the game. “More importantly, you know, it’s Jayson, and that’s what I’m worried about. And I’m just making sure I’m there for him. That’s my priority. It’s very concerning, just from the care I have for him. What he means to us. What he means to Boston.”
Tatum and the Rodgers case
Even if Boston pulls off a miraculous comeback against the Knicks, they would spend the rest of the postseason without Tatum. Even worse, the player will miss a good portion of the next season, as these injuries typically take four to six months to heal.
Given this scenario, the Celtics’ front office, players, and fans are praying for Tatum to make a recovery like that of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who took just 77 days to return to practice and put up good stats with the New York Jets in the 2024 NFL season.
Can Jayson Tatum do something similar? Only time will tell.
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