Jayson Tatum will miss at least the rest of the playoffs and beyond. The Celtics announced Tuesday that Tatum had successful surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Considering the severity of the injury, Tatum will be expected to miss a significant amount of time as his 2025-26 season is likely in jeopardy considering the rehab timeline after such an injury.
Here’s the full statement from the Celtics:
“Jayson Tatum today underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. No timetable is currently available for his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.”
The Celtics All-Star had an MRI on Tuesday to confirm the diagnosis. Tatum was carried off the floor by team trainers Monday in the fourth quarter of a Game 4 Celtics loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Tatum suffered the apparent non-contact injury after diving for a loose ball, collapsing to the ground in pain after his right leg buckled. He was spotted being pushed to the locker room in a wheelchair by ESPN cameras after leaving the court with the injury.
“It’s very concerning,” Al Horford said after Game 4. “Just from the care that I have for him and what he means to us, what he means to Boston. Just very tough for us. More importantly, it’s just really tough for him right now.”
Tatum was playing at his best before the injury, pouring in 42 games to lead the Celtics. But once he went down, it effectively sealed the game as the Knicks secured the 3-1 series lead in the East semifinals. Now, the Celtics face elimination in Game 5, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at TD Garden.
Beyond the next game, the Celtics face massive question marks heading into the summer after Tatum’s injury. They were already set to make significant roster moves considering the state of their roster and an expensive luxury tax bill. Missing Tatum, a first-team All-NBA talent, changes the equation not just for next year but beyond.
Celtics fans will hope Tatum can make a full recovery from the injury that’s slowed down NBA players in the past. Medical advancements have come a long way, though, and there are some stars like Kevin Durant who have been effective after the lengthy rehab process. But it’s still a bummer considering Tatum, 27, will lose a season in the middle of his prime near the height of his powers.
Tatum has been an iron man for the Celtics, suiting up in 585 career games or more than 90% of possible games. When he missed Game 2 of the first round against the Magic, it was the first time he missed a playoff game since entering the league. Aside from the Celtics making consistent deep playoff runs, Tatum also played in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. Despite all that, Tatum hadn’t suffered a major injury until now.
“Obviously that’s our brother and you hate to see him go down,” Derrick White said. “We just know the type of guy he is, and it’s just tough to see him go down. But obviously, right now, it’s pretty low because of the game, and we just got to find a way to win Game 5.”