Jayson Tatum, the star forward for the Boston Celtics, sustained a lower leg injury in the fourth quarter of their Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday. As Tatum pursued a loose ball, he appeared to suffer a non-contact injury, quickly grabbing his right ankle in visible pain.
Unable to put any pressure on the leg, he was helped off the court and taken to the tunnel in a wheelchair. The injury occurred at a critical moment in the game, which ended in a 121-113 defeat for the Celtics, putting them in a difficult position in the series.
Mazzulla Confirms Tatum’s Injury as Knicks Rally for Comeback Win in Game 4
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla addressed the media after the game, confirming Tatum’s injury and stating that the forward would undergo an MRI on Tuesday. Mazzulla expressed concern for Tatum’s well-being, highlighting that Tatum’s reaction to the injury was unsettling, as he usually plays through pain.
The coach emphasized how difficult it was to see a player of Tatum’s caliber carried off the court, and the team would have to wait for the MRI results to understand the extent of the injury. With Boston trailing 3-1 in the series, the injury only added to the team’s struggles.
Jayson Tatum (NBA)The New York Knicks made a dramatic comeback in Game 4, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the third quarter. Ending the period on a 12-2 run, the Knicks regained the lead at 88-85. With the game tied at 102-102 in the fourth quarter, OG Anunoby hit a crucial three-pointer to give New York a 105-102 advantage, and they held onto the lead for the remainder of the game.
The Knicks were led by Jalen Brunson, who had a stellar performance, contributing 39 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns also played key roles, each scoring 23 points, while Anunoby added 20.
Tatum’s 42-Point Performance Highlights Celtics’ Loss, Team Faces Elimination in Game 5
Despite the Celtics’ loss, Tatum had an impressive performance, scoring a game-high 42 points. This achievement tied him with Celtics legends Larry Bird and John Havlicek for the most 40-point postseason games in franchise history.
In addition to his scoring, Tatum contributed eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks over 40 minutes of play. His performance stood out as one of the few positives for the Celtics on an otherwise tough night, highlighting his value to the team both offensively and defensively.
After Tatum’s injury, his teammates expressed concern and support. Guard Derrick White, who scored 23 points in the loss, reflected on the difficulty of seeing Tatum go down and expressed the team’s determination to fight on in Game 5.
Jaylen Brown also shared his frustration, acknowledging the emotional toll the game and Tatum’s injury took on the team. Even Jalen Brunson of the Knicks, despite his team’s victory, expressed sympathy, offering thoughts and prayers for Tatum’s recovery. As the Celtics now face elimination in Game 5, they will need to rally together without their star forward, hoping to avoid an early exit in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
