Inside the NBA: Charles says the first person Jayson Tatum should call after having surgery on his ruptured Achilles is Kevin Durant.
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum had surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon that will sideline him for the remainder of the playoffs, the team announced.
The Celtics announced the extent of Tatum’s injury and the surgery a day after the six-time All-Star went down in the Celtics’ 121-113 Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks, putting both the hopes of the defending champions repeating and Tatum’s playing status for next season in doubt.
They did not give a timetable for his return but said a full recovery was expected.
When Kevin Durant tore his Achilles tendon during the 2019 NBA Finals, he wound up missing the entire 2019-2020 season.
The 27-year-old Tatum is leading the Celtics in points (28.1), rebounds (11.5) and assists (5.4) per game for the second straight postseason.
The Knicks lead the series 3-1, with Game 5 scheduled in Boston.
Tatum scored 42 points before he was injured, during what was one of his best all-round postseason performances.
The injury was Tatum’s second this postseason, having missed Game 2 with a wrist bone bruise.
This setback could significantly alter the Celtics’ plans, especially considering their tight salary cap and impending ownership transfer.
The team’s payroll will be around $225 million next season, likely leading to a record luxury-tax bill of nearly $280 million, which could influence roster decisions.
Tatum’s injury not only impacts the team’s immediate playoff run but also the franchise’s strategic planning for future seasons.
Despite the injury, teammates remain optimistic about their chances and are rallying to overcome the odds.
As one of the leading contenders, the Celtics face the challenge of regrouping and adjusting their game plan to continue their pursuit of an NBA championship.
