Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will be close by, but off the court, as his team faces a must-win Game 6 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Friday night. Tatum recently underwent season-ending surgery in New York to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon, an injury he sustained late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Celtics lost that game 121-113, putting them in a 3-1 series hole and in danger of elimination.
Tatum Reunites With Celtics, Lifts Spirits After Successful Achilles Surgery Recovery Begins
Following his Tuesday surgery, Tatum has remained in New York to recover and was discharged from the hospital in time to reunite with his teammates Thursday at their hotel. It marked his first in-person interaction with the team since the devastating injury. According to the Celtics, the surgery was successful, and Tatum is now on the path to recovery, though he is expected to miss approximately nine months, similar to Kevin Durant’s timeline after his Achilles injury in 2019.
Jayson Tatum (NBA)The Celtics were emotionally impacted by seeing Tatum again. Guard Sam Hauser expressed the team’s sorrow over Tatum’s injury but noted that their fallen star wants nothing more than for them to keep pushing forward. “He seems to be in good spirits,” Hauser said during Friday’s shootaround, emphasizing that Tatum remains a central motivational figure for the squad as they attempt to extend the series.
Celtics Draw Strength From Brotherhood, Rallying Around Injured Star Jayson Tatum’s Spirit
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard shared that the team’s conversation with Tatum wasn’t about basketball. Instead, it was a meaningful, personal check-in focused on Tatum’s well-being. Pritchard described the moment as an emotional lift, underscoring how much Tatum means to the team beyond his on-court contributions. “That stuff is bigger than basketball now,” Pritchard remarked, reinforcing the sense of brotherhood within the Celtics’ roster.
With their backs against the wall, the Celtics are aiming to become just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven playoff series. A win on Friday night would force a decisive Game 7 in Boston on Monday. As they fight to keep their championship hopes alive, the Celtics are fueled not just by the pursuit of victory but by a desire to honor their sidelined leader, Jayson Tatum.
