After securing their first win of the second-round series in Game 3, Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics couldn't have asked for a worse ending to Game 4.
On Monday night, the Celtics fell to the New York Knicks 121-113 in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, putting the defending champions into a 1-3 hole. But the biggest concern was easily All-NBA star Jayson Tatum, who was helped off the court in the fourth quarter.
With 2:58 remaining in the game, Tatum went down in some serious pain after chasing a loose ball. The former Duke star suffered a non-contact ankle injury, leaving many fearing a potential torn Achilles, which would likely keep him out all of the 2025-26 season.
On Tuesday, a new video surfaced online showing Celtics general manager Brad Stevens helping his All-Star off the court. With Tatum unable to put any weight on his ankle, he leaned on Stevens for support as they made their way to the locker room.
NBA fans were moved by Stevens' gesture toward Tatum, taking to social media to leave their thoughts.
"I love Brad so much ð¥º," one fan said.
"I’m not crying, you’re crying," added another.
"(Expletive) man gonna make me tear up," wrote a third.
"I’m crying at work," commented a fourth.
"I want to cry," posted a fifth.
"ðððððððð," added a sixth.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is helped off the court after an injury against the New York Knicks.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum
© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Even with the injury, Tatum still had one of his better games of the postseason. He tallied a game-high 42 points on 16-of-28 shooting, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks.
The Celtics will now look to keep their season alive without their superstar, facing the Knicks in Game 5 back at TD Garden on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. Looking on the bright side, Boston recorded an 8-2 record during the regular season without Tatum.