The silence in TD Garden that night told the whole story. Jayson Tatum, the franchise cornerstone who had carried Boston through countless battles, was down on the court clutching his right leg. What started as a routine playoff possession against the New York Knicks became the moment that changed everything for the Celtics’ championship hopes.
How Did Jayson Tatum’s Devastating Injury Unfold Against the Knicks?
The Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2025, when Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4. The Celtics were trailing by seven points in the fourth quarter when Jaylen Brown lost the ball while driving past Mikal Bridges.
That’s when Tatum attempted to get the loose ball, but it fell into OG Anunoby’s hands, where the Knicks star finished it off on the other end. While New York fans were celebrating the easy bucket, Tatum was struggling in pain, holding his right leg. He had to be carried off by two Boston assistants before being wheeled to the locker room.
The incident crushed the Celtics’ hopes of making the Eastern Conference Finals, as the Knicks ultimately won the series in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden. Tatum was left heartbroken that he couldn’t lead his franchise to repeat postseason success.
Tatum joins a troubling list of stars sidelined by serious injuries this season. Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard also suffered Achilles injuries, creating a wave of devastating setbacks across the league.
What Is Brad Stevens’ Timeline for Tatum’s Return?
During a recent media appearance, Celtics GM Brad Stevens spoke about the possible return timeline for Tatum. He said the team hasn’t even been thinking about that, and the priority for both Tatum and Brown would be to make a 100% recovery.
“We’re not even talking about timeline for return. We’re not even going there. And Jayson is working every single day. He has literally been here every day, except he took a few days’ break. But when he takes a few days’ break, Nick [Sang] goes with him, so he’s still working every single day,” Stevens said.
Brad Stevens on Jayson Tatum’s timetable — he also mentioned the expectation for Jaylen Brown:
“We’re not even talking about a timeline for return. We’re not even going there. Jayson is working every single day.”
“We have no reason to believe that Jaylen won’t be all cleared… pic.twitter.com/8FuC78bxyP
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) July 8, 2025
Stevens also claimed that both stars have been making steady progress, but even that doesn’t mean the team will pressure Tatum to come back earlier. This approach makes sense considering the severity of the injury, as Tatum could aggravate it or make it worse if he returns without fully recovering.
The 27-year-old has also been quite open about his injury recovery. He recently made an admission on Instagram, indicating that the road to recovery was a tough one.
How Has Tatum’s Injury Reshaped the Celtics’ Future?
The former NBA champion and Brown are undoubtedly the cornerstones of the Celtics franchise. Boston has made it clear that the team will be built around them, and their futures are secured with two of the biggest contracts in NBA history.
However, Tatum’s injury forced major roster changes. The Celtics had to offload both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis within a few days. Stevens recently admitted that the goal was to get under the second luxury tax apron and shed some salary from their payroll.
Although shocking, the trades give Boston more financial freedom to build the team for the upcoming season without their standout player. As Shams Charania claims, Tatum’s injury has left the Celtics exposed, which is why teams have reportedly been making offers for even Brown.
That said, the Celtics have acquired a talented sharpshooter in Anfernee Simons, who can also act as one of the main scoring options until Tatum returns. This move provides Boston with immediate offensive firepower while they wait for their franchise player to heal completely.
