Jayson Tatum suffers serious Non-Contact Injury in Celtics-Knicks Game 4 [VIDEO]
Celtics Star Wheelchaired Off After Emotional Exit Late in Game 4 Loss to Knicks
Tonight, during a high-stakes NBA playoff matchup between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum suffered a serious non-contact injury late in the fourth quarter. The game, held at Madison Square Garden, ended with a 121-113 win for the Knicks, giving them a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The incident has sparked widespread concern from fans, analysts, and the broader NBA community.
This injury was just one of many wild twists in this series. The Celtics are currently the NBA’s defending world champions. In Game 1, they blew a 20-point lead to the underdog New York Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson. Before Game 2, Celtic legend Paul Pierce guaranteed a Boston victory. Pierce went as far as saying he’d walk to the studio if Boston lost. Not only did the Celtics lose, but they also blew another 20-point lead in the process. As a result, Pierce recorded himself walking to the studio.
While the Celtics managed to steal Game 3 in New York, Game 4 was a disaster. Now, Tatum is down.
Injury Details and Game Context
Tatum’s injury occurred during a play involving Knicks forward OG Anunoby. As Tatum attempted to maneuver off a steal, he planted his right foot and appeared to twist his ankle awkwardly. There was no contact from another player, making the injury particularly alarming. He immediately collapsed, clutching his right ankle in visible pain.
Reports on X (formerly Twitter) describe the injury as non-contact and potentially severe. Tatum was unable to put any weight on the injured leg. He was initially assisted off the court by medical staff with his ankle immobilized. Moments later, he was reportedly wheelchaired to the locker room, further suggesting a potentially significant issue.
Despite the injury, Tatum had a dominant performance in Game 4. He scored 42 points in 40 minutes, along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. His efficiency was high, shooting 16-of-28 from the field (57.1%) and making all three of his free throws. He was the clear focal point of Boston’s offense until the late-game injury.
Medical Speculation and Unconfirmed Diagnoses
No official diagnosis has been released by the Celtics or their medical staff as of the early hours of May 13, 2025. However, speculation has run rampant on social media. What has been confirmed is that Tatum will be having an MRI.
X user @GameInjuryDoc noted, “With that step back on the right and his reaction, the fear would be for an Achilles tear.” The user pointed to a visible vibration in Tatum’s right calf after planting, a telltale sign of an Achilles injury. Other medical accounts expressed concern over a possible torn Achilles tendon based on his inability to bear weight and the nature of his fall.
However, not all theories point to the Achilles. Posts from @BkcSports and @FantasyDocDude floated the possibility of a torn ACL or meniscus injury, citing the angle of his knee during the fall and his subsequent distress. Still, all of these remain speculative until confirmed by official imaging such as an MRI.
Public and Fan Reaction
Reactions poured in across social media, with hashtags like #PrayersForJT and #JaysonTatum quickly trending on X. A sense of dread hovered over Celtics fans and the broader NBA viewership as video footage of Tatum’s collapse circulated.
“Jayson Tatum was emotional while leaving the game in a wheelchair from a non-contact injury,” reported @SportsCenter.
“Jayson Tatum in extreme pain on the ground with a non-contact injury. Prayers for JT,” posted @LegionHoops.
“You can see a vibration up the right calf after the step back. Signs of a possible Achilles Tear,” added @GameInjuryDoc in a follow-up video analysis.
These reactions reflect not only the gravity of the moment but also the emotional weight Tatum carries for Boston’s playoff hopes.
Impact on Celtics’ Season
With the series now at 3-1 in favor of New York, Boston’s chances of advancing already faced steep odds. The potential loss of Tatum — their leading scorer and floor general — could be the final blow to their postseason run.
Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in the 2024-25 regular season. He has been Boston’s primary offensive engine, defensive anchor, and locker room leader. Earlier in the 2025 playoffs, he played through a bone bruise in his wrist, illustrating his toughness and resilience. However, this new injury appeared to surpass his threshold for pain.
He also missed his first career playoff game earlier in the postseason due to that wrist injury but returned to produce high-level performances. The seriousness of Monday night’s injury may not allow for such a quick return.
Lack of Official Updates
As of 11:26 PM EDT on May 12, the Celtics had not released a formal statement. A review of their X account showed updates about the game and earlier injuries, including Sam Hauser’s ankle sprain, but nothing on Tatum.
Media outlets such as ESPN, NBA.com, and FOX Sports also had not published detailed injury reports specific to the May 12 game, likely due to the recency of the incident.
Coach Joe Mazzulla briefly commented in the post-game press conference, stating, “It was tough to watch Tatum get carried off like that. We’ll know more in the morning.”
Moving Forward
The Celtics will now head into a must-win Game 5 with significant uncertainty surrounding their star player. If Tatum is out for the remainder of the series, Boston will need a massive performance from the rest of the roster, including Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis.
NBA fans, meanwhile, are hoping for the best. Injuries to star players, especially in the playoffs, change the landscape of the league. In Tatum’s case, this could affect not just the Celtics’ title hopes, but also his long-term health and career trajectory.
Players and analysts alike have voiced their support, emphasizing Tatum’s resilience and hoping the injury proves to be less severe than feared.