moranelkarifnews : Celtics star Jayson Tatum ruled out for rest of postseason after suffering torn Achilles in loss to Knicks

Jayson Tatum’s postseason is over.

The Boston Celtics star was ruled out for the rest of the playoffs with a torn right Achilles tendon, the team announced. Tatum underwent surgery Tuesday, less than 24 hours after he initially sustained the injury. A timeline for his return is not yet known, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

The decision to operate immediately, according to the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelscbach, was done because it can lead to a more favorable outcome. 

Tatum went down in the final minutes of the Celtics’ 121-113 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Tatum planted near the top of the arc while trying to chase after a loose ball, but his right ankle awkwardly rolled out and he went crashing down to the court.

Play continued the other way as Tatum remained down in pain.

He was eventually carried off the floor by athletic trainers, unable to put any weight on his right foot. Tatum was taken to a wheelchair and rolled back to the locker room, and he looked incredibly emotional with his head in his hands.

Tatum had 42 points when he went down with the injury. He averaged 25 points and 11.8 rebounds per game throughout the series. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla called it a “lower body injury” after the game, but did not have any specifics. An MRI on Tuesday morning confirmed the Achilles injury. 

“I mean, the loss is the loss,” Celtics veteran Al Horford said after the game. “More importantly, you know, it’s Jayson and that’s what I’m worried about. And I’m just making sure I’m there for him. That’s my priority … It’s very concerning, just from, you know, the care that I have for him. What he means to us. What he means to Boston.”

While the Celtics will be without Tatum for the rest of the postseason, Tatum will now almost certainly miss a good chunk of next season while he recovers. Achilles injuries can typically take several months, if not longer, to recover from. 

Tatum finished the regular season averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6 assists per game. The 26-year-old signed a five-year, $315 million supermax extension last summer after he helped lead the Celtics to an NBA title.

The Knicks currently hold a 3-1 lead in their series over the Celtics. Game 5 is set for Wednesday night at TD Garden in Boston. If the Knicks pull off the win, they’ll earn their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 1999.

Jayson Tatum’s postseason is over.

The Boston Celtics star was ruled out for the rest of the playoffs with a torn right Achilles tendon, the team announced. Tatum underwent surgery on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after he initially sustained the injury. A timeline for his return is not yet known, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

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Tatum went down in the final minutes of the Celtics’ 121-113 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Tatum planted near the top of the arc while trying to chase after a loose ball, but his right ankle awkwardly rolled out and he went crashing down to the court.

Play continued the other way, but Tatum remained down clearly in agonizing pain.