Jayson Tatum is set to have an MRI on his lower leg injury, which he sustained during the Boston Celtics’ 121-113 defeat to the New York Knicks on Monday night. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when Tatum went down after attempting to chase a loose ball. He immediately grabbed his right ankle and was visibly in considerable pain.
The Celtics' forward required assistance to leave the court, as he was unable to put any pressure on his right leg. Tatum was transported through the tunnel of New York's Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair, raising concerns about the severity of his injury. Following the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed that Tatum is dealing with a “lower body injury” and will undergo an MRI on Tuesday. “You are always worried about someone’s health,” Mazzulla stated in the post-game press conference. “He’s the type of guy that gets right up. He didn’t, and we’ll know tomorrow exactly what it is. It’s tough to watch a guy like him getting carried off like that.”
The loss on Monday has significant implications for the Celtics, who now trail the series 3-1 and face the possibility of elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The game saw the Celtics down by as many as 14 points in the third quarter. However, the Knicks ended the period on a 12-2 run, taking an 88-85 lead into the final quarter.
With less than six minutes left in a tightly contested game tied at 102-102, OG Anunoby hit a crucial three-pointer, giving the Knicks a 105-102 lead that they would maintain until the final buzzer. Four Knicks players scored over 20 points, with Jalen Brunson leading the pack with an impressive 39 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each contributed 23 points, while Anunoby added 20.
Following the victory, Brunson spoke about the significance of the comeback win and the series lead. “It means a lot. It’s a big game for us, just the way we responded, is what I’m most proud of, sticking together and making sure we are not quitting,” he expressed in the postgame conference. “That’s a tough team over there. Obviously, we want to get off to better starts, but they got experience. They’re the defending champs for a reason.”
Before his injury, Tatum had a remarkable performance, finishing with a game-high 42 points. This achievement ties him with Celtics legends Larry Bird and John Havlicek for the most 40-point postseason games in franchise history. In addition to his scoring, Tatum recorded eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks in 40 minutes of play.
Celtics guard Derrick White, who scored 23 points in the loss, expressed his concern for Tatum. “That’s our brother, hate to see him go down. We know the type of guy he is. It’s tough to see him go down,” White said after the game. He emphasized the importance of regrouping as a team, stating, “We just have to find a way to win Game 5.”
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown, who contributed 20 points and seven rebounds, echoed White’s sentiments about Tatum’s injury. “Tonight is tough. I think everybody is kind of at a loss of words just because, one losing a game, but obviously, the concern with JT. But we pick our heads back up tomorrow and go from there,” Brown remarked.
Brunson also shared his thoughts on Tatum’s injury, expressing his hopes for a positive outcome. “We want to go out there and compete, but when a player of his caliber goes down and he’s rolling in pain like that, you know something is wrong. That’s why I gave my thoughts and prayers because you never want to see something like that ever,” he said.
As the series progresses, the Knicks will aim to eliminate the defending NBA champion Celtics in Game 5, scheduled for Wednesday in Boston. All eyes will be on Tatum's MRI results, which could significantly influence the Celtics' chances in the series.
