Boston fans held their breath last night — not because of the scoreboard, but because of something much more gut-wrenching .
Jayson Tatum going down with what appeared to be a serious Achilles injury late in Game 5 against the New York Knicks.
In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the Eastern Conference’s most storied franchises, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks battled it out in Madison Square Garden. But the energy shifted drastically when Tatum, while driving to the basket early in the third quarter, collapsed without contact — the kind of injury no basketball fan ever wants to see.
What Happened to Jayson Tatum?
As Tatum clutched his lower leg, trainers and teammates rushed to his side. He was eventually helped off the court and taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. Initial fears centered around a ruptured Achilles tendon — the kind of injury that can sideline a player for up to a year, or more. The silence in the Garden was deafening.
Later that night, ESPN’s broadcast team confirmed that Tatum’s Achilles would undergo imaging, and early reports are “not optimistic.” Though the Celtics have not officially confirmed a torn Achilles, league sources told WEEI and The Athletic that the team fears the worst.
Tatum Injury Update: Awaiting MRI Results
As of Tuesday morning, Tatum’s status remains day-to-day pending MRI results, but the tone from Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was somber. “He’s everything to us — not just our leading scorer, but our leader,” Mazzulla said postgame. “We’re praying it’s not as bad as it looked.”
The Impact on Boston’s Playoff Run
Before the injury, Tatum had posted 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists — a solid performance in a heated playoff battle. With Jaylen Brown now forced to shoulder the scoring load, and Al Horford likely taking on more minutes, the Celtics’ depth will be tested. The loss to the Knicks brings the series to 3–2, with Game 6 looming large back in Boston.
Meanwhile, the Knicks capitalized on the emotional drop from Boston, with Jalen Brunson dropping 34 points and Josh Hart locking in a double-double. New York took full control in the fourth, closing the game 112–96.
A Rivalry with High Stakes
This series had already been physical and intense, with nods to classic Knicks-Celtics matchups of decades past. But now, with Tatum’s possible torn Achilles casting a shadow, the story has shifted. For Celtics fans, the focus is no longer just about advancing to the next round — it’s about the future of their franchise player.
Fan Reactions: NBA Twitter in Shock
Basketball Twitter exploded within minutes of the injury. Here’s a look at how fans, athletes, and analysts reacted in real-time:
🟢 @BostonFan_87: “No way… I can’t believe this. Tatum in a wheelchair? Please no. Not the Achilles. Not now.”
🔵 @NBABurner: “You don’t need to be a doctor to know that looked bad. Prayers up for Tatum. You hate to see that happen to a superstar.”
🟡 @knicks_talk: “Respect to Jayson Tatum. That man is a warrior. Hope he’s okay. No rivalry is worth this kind of injury.”
🔴 @BillSimmons: “Crushed. Tatum is the heart of this Celtics team. If this is a torn Achilles… man. It’s a dark day in Boston.”
⚪ @JalenBrunsonFan: “We got the win, but that Tatum injury just took the air out of it. Hope it’s not what it looked like.”
The common thread? Sympathy, shock, and deep respect — even from Knicks fans. The NBA community, regardless of allegiance, knows that the game is better when its brightest stars are healthy and on the court.