Jayson Tatum speaks out after Achilles surgery as Celtics face elimination

While his Boston Celtics will be fighting to keep their season alive Wednesday night, Jayson Tatum underwent successful surgery to repair an Achilles tendon that ruptured in a Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks. 

Tatum’s road to recovery begins now, and he spoke for the first time since he was injured in the fourth quarter of Game 4, which could result in him missing the entire 2025-26 NBA season. 

Tatum posted a picture of himself in a hospital bed after surgery with a thumbs-up. 

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Jayson Tatum (0) of the Boston Celtics is looked over on the court after being injured against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden May 12, 2025, in New York City. (Elsa/Getty Images)

"Thankful for all the love and supporter (prayer emoji)," Tatum wrote in an Instagram caption. 

The Celtics posted their own screenshot of Tatum, saying, "the comeback will be greater than the setback."

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Tatum was having his best playoff performance of 2025, scoring 42 points on 16 of 28 shooting with seven made 3-pointers against the Knicks in Game 4. He also had eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. 

Boston was down at the time of the injury, and Tatum tried planting on his right foot to go after a loose ball, but he immediately hit the floor writhing in pain. 

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is helped off the court after being injured in the second half of Game 4 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., May 12, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)

Tatum was helped off the court by Celtics staff, and the Madison Square Garden crowd applauded in a show of respect as he made his way to the locker room. MRI results the next day confirmed what the team feared. Tatum had a torn Achilles that required surgery. 

It will be a long journey back for Tatum, who will likely make his fourth straight All-NBA first team. He starred in the Celtics' NBA Finals win over the Dallas Mavericks last season.

The Celtics were hoping to go back-to-back, and though many believed they would cruise past the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Boston blew two 20-point deficits in Games 1 and 2 to fall into a 2-0 hole. 

Trainers help Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (0) off the court after he was injured during the second half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks Monday, May 12, 2025, in New York.  (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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The Celtics won Game 3 on the road, and Game 4’s loss had more ramifications than facing an elimination Game 5 back at TD Garden. 

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