Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Injured in Playoff Loss to New York Knicks
In a concerning turn of events, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was carried off the floor late in Monday’s 121-113 playoff loss to the New York Knicks, according to a report by Yahoo Sports. The Celtics’ leading scorer, Tatum fell and clutched his right ankle in clear pain in the game’s final minutes and immediately asked for a timeout. He was then carried off the floor by athletic trainers, unable to put weight on his right foot.
As reported by Yahoo Sports, Tatum was placed in a wheelchair in the tunnel at Madison Square Garden and put his head in his hands as he was wheeled down the hall by medical staff. The Knicks led 111-104 at the time of Tatum’s injury with 3:12 remaining in the game. They finished the eight-point win to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals and put the reigning champion Celtics on the brink of elimination.
The severity of Tatum’s injury is not yet known, but Yahoo Sports reports that Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla called it a lower-body injury in his postgame news conference and told reporters Tatum was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday. The Celtics will likely be without their star player for Game 5 on Wednesday, which could severely impact their chances of staying alive in the series.
Despite Tatum’s injury, Yahoo Sports notes that he had an impressive game, finishing with 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks. He shot 16 of 28 from the floor and 7 of 16 from 3. However, it was not enough to overcome Jalen Brunson’s 39-point, 12-assist outing for the Knicks.
The Celtics’ 3-point shooting, which has been a central theme of this series, was a factor in Monday’s loss. As Yahoo Sports reports, Boston went cold from 3 in the second half, shooting 6 of 24. This allowed the Knicks to rally and take control of the game. Brunson caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 18 of his 39 points and leading the Knicks to a 37-point outburst.
The series now shifts back to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, when the Celtics will look to fend off elimination on their home floor. As Yahoo Sports notes, it appears likely that they’ll do so without the services of their best player, Tatum. The NBA community will be keeping a close eye on Tatum’s long-term health and the impact of his injury on the Celtics’ playoff chances.
In related news, LeBron James was among Tatum’s well-wishers in the aftermath of his injury. As the Celtics look to stay alive in the series, they will need to find a way to overcome the loss of their star player. According to Yahoo Sports, Tatum’s health will be a major concern for the Celtics moving forward.
The Celtics will look to bounce back in Game 5, but it remains to be seen how they will perform without their leading scorer. One thing is certain, however, the Celtics will need to bring their A-game if they hope to stay alive in the series.
