It was a tough night for the Boston Celtics, made worse by the devastating news of Jayson Tatum suffering a torn right Achilles tendon—a season-ending injury that will keep the star forward sidelined for an extended period.
In an official statement on X, the Celtics announced that Tatum underwent successful surgery to repair the torn Achilles tendon earlier today. While the team did not provide a specific timeline for his return, they expressed optimism about his full recovery.
The devastating injury to Jayson Tatum occurred in the third quarter of Game 4 when the 27-year-old star guard attempted to recover a loose ball at midcourt after a turnover by one of his teammates.
Tatum had been leading the Celtics’ charge at Madison Square Garden, trying to even the series, delivering a stellar performance with 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals before the injury.
Following Tatum’s exit, the New York Knicks capitalized on the absence of Boston’s star player, securing a 121-113 victory to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Now, the Celtics face elimination and must attempt to turn things around without their franchise cornerstone for the remaining games.
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Celtics star Jaylen Brown speaks on Jayson Tatum’s injury during Game 4 loss to the Knicks
Which other players have ruptured their Achilles tendon?
Jayson Tatum’s heartbreaking Achilles injury places him among a list of NBA stars who have endured the same fate. Two of the most memorable cases involve Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, both of whom suffered Achilles tears while playing for the Golden State Warriors.
Durant’s injury came during the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors. The Warriors, in pursuit of their third consecutive championship, faced a pivotal Game 5 when Durant went down with a ruptured Achilles. Without their superstar, Golden State fell in six games, signaling the end of an iconic era for the star-studded team.
Meanwhile, Thompson, after tearing the ACL in his left knee during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals, suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in November 2020, sidelining him for the entire season.
Another notable case is DeMarcus Cousins in 2018, when he was playing for the New Orleans Pelicans alongside Anthony Davis and was regarded as one of the league’s best big men.
