Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Has Achilles Surgery, Possibly Devastating Blow To Team

On Monday night, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was carried off the court late in the Celtics’ 121-113 loss to the New York Knicks with an apparent leg injury. He was put in a wheelchair after exiting the game.

On Tuesday, Tatum had Achilles surgery, which could mean he’s out all next season.

“The loss is the loss,” Celtics center Al Horford said. “It’s Jayson I’m worried about.”

Tatum, who has been heavily criticized for his performance throughout the series, was having arguably his best performance of the playoffs. Before his injury at the 2:58 mark of the fourth quarter, Tatum had 42 points on 16-28 shooting.

“He’s the type of guy that gets right up,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said.

Players across the league, including LeBron James, offered their prayers for Tatum. Knicks’ Jalen Brunson opened his post-game press conference by offering his prayers.

The loss brings the Celtics to a 3-1 deficit in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game five is on Wednesday in Boston.

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will have to make up for the production that’s lost without Tatum in the lineup.

The Celtics are 4.5-point favorites in game five. However, for the first time in the series, the Celtics are underdogs to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.