The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will face off against each other in Game 5 of their second-round series on Wednesday night.
New York was able to take a commanding 3-1 series lead with their victory in Game 4 on Monday and they will now have a chance to clinch the series in Game 5.
While the Knicks were able to win Game 4 at home on Monday, the headline coming out of the game was the injury that was suffered by Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum.
Tatum suffered a non-contact left right injury late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game as he tried to go after a loose ball and it looked like a devastating injury from the start.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0).
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0).
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The star forward crumpled on the court, holding his lower right leg before he was carried off the court and eventually placed in a wheelchair and taken to the locker room.
After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said Tatum would undergo an MRI on Tuesday where they would know more.
Tatum has since underwent his MRI and it is not a good sign for him or the Celtics.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Tatum has been diagnosed with a torn right Achilles and he has already undergone surgery to repair it.
This is a massive blow for Boston as they will now be without the face of their franchise for the rest of the playoffs, and for most or possibly all of next season.
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball against the New York Knicks in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.
© David Butler II-Imagn Images
With Tatum now out and the Celtics down 3-1 in their series against the Knicks, it looks as though the defending champions will be knocked out in the second round of the playoffs unless their other key players are able to lead them on an impressive comeback.
Tatum’s injury also creates some tough decisions the team will have to make in the offseason after there have already been reports that they could make some major changes to their roster in the summer.