Jayson Tatum's Injury Update: Celtics Star Carted Off the Court for MRI on Right Leg

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Celtics faced a tough moment when Jayson Tatum fell hard during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. He injured his lower right leg and couldn’t stand up, leading to concern among fans and players alike.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was clearly worried. “He usually gets right back up. Seeing him being carried off is tough,” he said. An MRI is scheduled to determine the full extent of Tatum’s injury.

Tatum’s injury happened while he lunged for a loose ball, collapsing without anyone touching him. He buried his face in a towel, visibly in pain, as he held his leg above the ankle.

On that night, the New York Knicks secured a 121-113 victory, pushing the series lead to 3-1. The Celtics need to regroup quickly, as they must win the next game at home to keep their title hopes alive.

Jaylen Brown, a fellow Celtics player, expressed the emotional toll of the night. “It’s tough. We lost the game, and everyone is worried about JT. But we’ll pick ourselves back up,” he said.

Before the injury, Tatum shined with 42 points, his highest so far this playoffs. As he was wheeled away, he appeared devastated.

Having been in the league for eight years, Tatum won his first NBA championship last year, adding to the weight of this injury. He faced an earlier injury during the playoffs against Orlando, which caused him to miss one game, his first-ever playoff absence.

Players on both teams expressed concern for Tatum. Kristaps Porzingis noted injuries are part of the game. “It’s tough to see, but we have to move forward. JT wouldn’t want us to be sad; we need to play our best,” he said.

The Celtics have proven they can win without Tatum before. As they prepare for the next game, they will rely on their teamwork and resilience.

Recent studies show that injuries significantly impact team performance in the playoffs. Teams often struggle to fill the void of key players. The Celtics will need to adapt quickly if they hope to make a comeback.

Stay tuned as the Celtics prepare for Game 5, hoping to rise to the challenge and fight for their place in the playoffs.