
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered a significant lower right leg injury late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. With just under three minutes remaining and the Celtics trailing, Tatum collapsed while pursuing a loose ball, clutching his leg above the ankle in visible pain. He was assisted off the court and later seen in a wheelchair. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla described it as a “lower body injury” and confirmed that Tatum will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity.
Prior to the injury, Tatum had delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 42 points on 16-of-28 shooting, along with eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Despite his efforts, the Celtics lost 121–113, falling behind 3–1 in the best-of-seven series.
The injury has elicited widespread concern and support from the basketball community. NBA stars, including LeBron James, Grant Williams, and Isaiah Thomas, have expressed their well-wishes for Tatum’s recovery.
The Celtics now face a must-win Game 5 at home on Wednesday to stay alive in the playoffs. Tatum’s availability for the remainder of the series remains uncertain pending the MRI results.