Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will miss the remainder of the 2025 postseason and is likely to be sidelined for the entire 2025–26 NBA season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon, the team announced on Tuesday.

When Tatum couldn’t get to his feet late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals and had to be carried off the court, the severity of his lower right leg injury was immediately apparent—even before testing confirmed the devastating news.

“He’s the type of guy, he gets right up,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.
“So he didn’t, and we’ll know tomorrow exactly what it is. But yeah, I mean it’s tough to watch a guy like him get carried like that.”

The injury occurred with about three minutes left in the game. After a Celtics turnover, Tatum lunged for the loose ball. As he did, his leg gave out beneath him. He collapsed, grabbing above his ankle in clear agony. A towel covered his face as trainers attended to him.

The New York Knicks won the game 121–113, taking a 3–1 series lead. The Celtics now face elimination as the series returns to Boston on Wednesday.

“I think tonight is tough,” said teammate Jaylen Brown.
“I think everybody’s kind of at a loss for words, just because—one, losing the game, but obviously the concern with JT. But we pick our heads back up tomorrow and go from there.”

Tatum had scored 42 points—his highest total of these playoffs—before the injury. He covered his face in his hands as he was wheeled down the tunnel and out of the arena in a wheelchair.

An eight-year NBA veteran, Tatum won his first championship with the Celtics last year, leading Boston to its historic 18th title.

Players and coaches from both teams expressed deep concern for Tatum. Earlier in these playoffs, he suffered a minor injury in Game 1 of the opening round against Orlando when he was fouled on a dunk attempt and landed awkwardly, holding his right wrist. He stayed in the game but missed Game 2—the first playoff game he had ever sat out in his career.

The Celtics won without him then. Now, they must try again—this time, without their franchise cornerstone.

“Obviously it’s tough to see,” said Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis.
“But who hasn’t had injuries, you know? And it’s a part of this sport, part of this game, and we feel for him, of course.
But we have to move forward. He don’t want us to be over here sad and not play our best basketball.
So, we’re going to go out there and leave it all out there and live with the result.”