The Boston Celtics are reeling after their Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday night, but the scoreline is the least of their concerns. Jayson Tatum, the team’s cornerstone and one of the NBA’s most durable All-Stars, suffered a potentially devastating injury in the midst of a 42-point performance at Madison Square Garden. Diving for a loose ball, Tatum collapsed with what appeared to be a non-contact injury to his right lower leg, requiring assistance to leave the court and a wheelchair to reach the locker room. Coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that Tatum would undergo an MRI on Tuesday, leaving the Celtics and their fans bracing for potentially catastrophic news.
Immediate Impact: A Playoff Uphill Battle
The short-term ramifications are stark. Trailing 3-1 in the second-round series, Boston faces a must-win Game 5 at home on Wednesday night. With Tatum almost certainly sidelined, the Celtics will need to rally without their best player to keep their postseason hopes alive. Teammates expressed both concern and resolve in the wake of the injury.
“I mean, obviously that’s our brother, and you hate to see him go down,” said Derrick White after the 121-113 loss. “We just know the type of guy he is, and it’s just tough to see him go down. But obviously, right now, it–
’s pretty low because of the game, and we just got to find a way to win Game 5.”
Jaylen Brown echoed the sentiment, noting the team’s focus on Tatum’s health over the loss itself. “I think everybody’s concerned with Jayson,” Brown said. “I’m not sure how bad it is. Didn’t look great. But I think everybody is kind of more concerned with that. Obviously the loss is huge. But we’ve got to get ready for Game 5.”
The Nightmare Scenario: A Lost Season?
If the MRI reveals a severe injury—such as a torn Achilles, as some fear—Tatum could miss most or all of the 2025-26 season. This would be a seismic blow to a Celtics team built around his prime. Tatum’s durability has been a cornerstone of Boston’s success, with the 27-year-old playing through the grind of five straight high-minute seasons. Losing him would not only derail the team’s championship aspirations but also force a painful reckoning with their financial reality.
The Celtics are already committed to a staggering $227 million payroll for 11 players next season, resulting in a luxury tax bill of nearly $280 million. The combined $507 million spend would shatter NBA records by $130 million, a figure that has already raised eyebrows about whether Boston’s ownership would stomach such costs. League insiders had anticipated some cost-cutting this summer, but a Tatum-less roster could accelerate those plans dramatically.
Without Tatum, Boston’s contender status evaporates. Kristaps Porzingis, plagued by illness this postseason, and Jrue Holiday, whose age and rising cap hit limit his trade appeal, complicate potential roster retooling. Trading big contracts to shed salary would be a logistical nightmare, leaving the Celtics in a precarious position: too expensive to rebuild, yet not competitive enough to justify the historic payroll.
A Team and City on Edge
As Boston awaits Tatum’s MRI results, the mood is one of cautious hope mixed with dread. The Celtics have built their identity around Tatum’s versatility, leadership, and iron-man mentality. His teammates’ post-game comments reflect a group trying to process the emotional weight of his absence while preparing for a do-or-die Game 5.
For now, the focus is on survival—both in the playoffs and in the broader scope of the franchise’s future. A season without Tatum would force Boston to confront uncomfortable questions about their roster, their finances, and their long-term vision. As Jaylen Brown put it, the team will “take the night and pick our heads up tomorrow” to devise a game plan. But if the worst-case scenario comes to pass, no game plan may be enough to salvage the Celtics’ ambitions.
