Jayson Tatum Injury Scare
The Boston Celtics are in crisis mode not only on the scoreboard, but maybe on the injury level. While they are trailing the New York Knicks 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-final’s, they might have lost their franchise cornerstone too: Jayson Tatum.
Painful Moment in Game 4
Late in Game 4′s fourth quarter Monday evening, Tatum twisted and dove for a loose ball during a non-contact situation. There were less than three minutes to play in the game when he went down in apparent agony, cradling his right ankle. The action halted momentarily following a Knicks fast break dunk by OG Annuity as medical personnel scrambled over to aid the Celtics forward.
Tatum couldn’t put any pressure on his leg and was assisted off the court. Later, ESPN television displayed him alongside the locker room, clearly distraught in a wheelchair, his face covered—a sight that sent fans and teammates into deep distress.
MRI Scheduled for Tuesday
Head coach Joe Mazzella spoke to the media postgame, revealing that Tatum would undergo an MRI on Tuesday to assess the full extent of the injury.
“He’s usually the kind of guy who bounces back up immediately,” Mazola said. “The fact that he didn’t is worrying. We’ll know more tomorrow. Watching him get carried off like that was tough.”
Tatum’s Big Night Cut Short
Prior to the injury, Tatum posted one of his strongest postseason games. He scored 42 points, including seven three-pointers, and contributed eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals. His performance saw Boston dominate most of the game—until New York rallied late.
By doing so, Tatum tied Celtics legends Larry Bird and John Helices for the most 40-point playoff games in team history with five, per ESPN.
Mutual Respect
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodaux was worried about Tatum after the game.
“You never want to see something like that happen to any player,” Thibodaux said. “He’s not only a great player, but a great guy as well. I really hope it’s not serious.”
Celtics Face Elimination
The Knicks finished off Game 4 in a 121-113 win, courtesy of Jalen Brunson’s game-saving heroics, who battled Tatum shots before his own injury. New York is just one victory shy of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 25 years ago.
Tatum’s status for Game 5—Wednesday night at TD Garden—is still in doubt. The Celtics will have to regroup and rally, aware that their season hangs in the balance without their brightest star.
