Jayson Tatum has long been the face of the Boston Celtics, a player who finally delivered a championship to the storied franchise after a 16-year drought. But one terrifying moment in May nearly shattered all of it.
In Game 4 of the second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Tatum collapsed with a torn Achilles. The injury didn’t just sideline him, but sparked terrible fears that his career and role with the Celtics might disappear instantly.
How Did Jayson Tatum React After Season-Ending Achilles Injury?
The physical pain was harsh for Tatum, but the emotional weight was heavier. Before the injury, he was on a hot streak, poised to steer his team to another deep playoff run. But that possibility faded away in a moment.
In an emotional new interview with People’s Eileen Finan, Tatum admitted that he broke down immediately after the injury. Sitting in Madison Square Garden’s visitors’ locker room, his mother, Brandy Cole, and trainer by his side, the All-Star couldn’t stop crying.
“I literally sat there and cried for two hours ’cause so many things ran through my mind: ‘Damn, is my career over? Am I going to get traded? Are all my partners going to drop me?’” Tatum recalled. “My basketball career flashed in front of my eyes. I’m in my prime, one of the best basketball players in the world, and it felt like it was all taken away.”
That raw honesty highlights just how crushing the moment was. A torn Achilles is one of the most feared injuries in professional sports. Tatum’s immediate thought wasn’t just about missing games but whether his identity as one of the NBA’s premier players could survive this setback.
Before the injury, Tatum was having a remarkable postseason. He averaged 28.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in eight playoff games while shooting 42.3% from the field. His presence was central to Boston’s hopes of repeating as champions.
But when he fell while chasing a loose ball, grimaced in pain, and had to be wheeled off the court, it was clear the Celtics’ title defense was in jeopardy. But beyond that, Tatum was devastated and shaken that he would never brace the hardwood floor again.
Tatum Aims to Come Back With Full Force
Torn Achilles injuries have derailed the careers of many athletes. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and others endured long and grueling recoveries. Durant, for instance, needed 18 months before stepping back on the court. Even when recovery is successful, players often describe the physical and mental toll as enormous.
That context makes Tatum’s fear all the more understandable. He was at the peak of his career, and suddenly the future became uncertain. The Celtics, meanwhile, felt the impact immediately. Head coach Joe Mazzulla’s squad fell to the Knicks 4-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals without their leader, cutting short hopes of back-to-back titles.
Four months later, Tatum is still working tirelessly toward a full recovery. The Celtics star now spends most of his days rehabbing at the team’s facility, focused on the long-term picture. Speaking with CBS Sports HQ this week, he emphasized his mindset: “I think the most important thing is making a full recovery and being 100%.”
There’s little hope that Tatum will return in the 2025-26 season. But for the 2024 NBA champion, this journey is less about returning to the court and more about proving to himself that his fears in that Madison Square Garden locker room will not define the rest of his career.
