One of NBA’s most brilliant young stars could be out until 2027.
The eaves of the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum, in the middle of one of his best playoff performances in his career, broke his Achilles Right on the defeat of game 4 of the Celtics against the New York Knicks. According to the privileged information of ESPN NBA Shams Charania, Tatum underwent surgery to repair the injury, and a “long rehabilitation” is expected.
Tatum’s injury not only takes the air from Madison Square Garden, and this not only affects Celtics this year, but could have important implications for the NBA in the future.
In the short term, this is a devastating blow for a team of the Celtics that I hoped to repeat as champions. Tatum was the focal point on both sides of the ball, and with him out and facing a 3-1 hole, the possibilities of the Celtics in a repetition become extremely intelligent. Outside Boston, however, the race for the title is open. Knicks’ chances of winning everything increase drastically with this injury, and the Indiana Pacers could reach the NBA finals if they dispatch the cavaliers. In the West, the Thunder and Nuggets are still knotted in two games each, in a series that could go to seven. The Timberwolves are on the verge of making another final of the conference after leaving a 3-1 advantage over the Warriors. With the Celtics Potentiaty when leaving, the race for the title becomes anyone’s game.
Beyond this season, however, details can become even more bleak for Boston. Given the seriousness of the lesion and when its place, Tatum could end up returning in 2027. Achilles lesions deadlines vary depending on gravity, but Tatum and Celtics could be looking at a year that was lost. Since the Celtics franchise player will be out for all 2026, Boston faces some great financial implications. They are fine about the second apron when it comes to contracts, and harms them if they want to add any addition to the team. What this means is that this version of the Celtics is one that we never see again. The entrants will have to be abandoned for salary reasons (Kristaps porzingis and Jrue Holiday come to mind), and with Tatum towards striker Jaylen Brown will have to keep the water from the subfine of the head of the Celtics for at least 2026.
Outside Boston, that means that the conference is potentially open. Tatum will be out and the Milwaukee Bucks superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, could be looking for an exchange, which means that the possibilities that teams such as the Pacers or Knicks potentially repeat as champions of the conference at this time. Even beyond these teams, rising franchises such as Orlando Magic could make a deep race, and you can never count the Miami Heat, which seek to add more fire power this low season.
Tatum’s injury sent shock waves not only through MSG, but also throughout the NBA. While much is uncertain at this time, one thing is safe: the NBA will not look the same the next time Tatum adapts.
