Jayson Tatum Injury: How Achilles Tear Affects Boston’s Future Odds & Outlook

• Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles injury late in the 4th quarter of Game 4.
• Despite being without Tatum, the Celtics dominated the Knicks in Game 5.
• Game 6 takes place on Friday night, with the Knicks leading the series 3-2.

Boston’s worst fears were confirmed the morning after Tatum’s injury late in Game 4. Soon after being confirmed as an Achilles tear, Tatum underwent surgery to repair it. He is now expected to miss upwards of 18 months as he recovers and rehabs to return to full strength.

Tatum Injury – The Details

With 2:58 left in the 4th quarter of the Celtics vs Knicks Eastern Conference Semifinal series, Jayson Tatum went down with no contact in clear pain. It was later confirmed that Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Following his immediate surgery, Tatum now begins his long road to recovery. For comparison, Kevin Durant missed 556 days from his similar injury.

Boston’s Short-Term Outlook

Despite being without Tatum in Game 5, the Celtics stormed past the Knicks to win 127-105, their most complete game of the series thus far. It’s a testament to the depth of talent on Boston’s roster. Even without their superstar, they have a real chance of advancing. Going further and attempting to repeat without Tatum will be trickier. Here are their current odds:

Boston’s Long-Term Outlook

Boston went all out on building their current roster. Doing so was worthwhile, but it also put them in a tough long-term position. They were over the second apron in 2024 and 2025, and are projected to remain over in 2026. Dealing with the penalties of the second apron was not a big deal during their championship window, but Jayson Tatum’s injury complicates things.

Without him next season, Boston will be less competitive. They’ll need to make a decision on if they can still compete for a title. If they can’t, it may be better to consider stripping the team down and preparing for the next era while recuperating some of the assets lost by past trades and apron penalties. This postseason will provide a clearer picture of their ability to compete.