Repeat NBA Championship hopes quickly disappeared into thin air for Boston Celtics fans on May 13 when Jayson Tatum writhed in pain on the Madison Square Garden floor. Many feared what would soon be confirmed to be true -- a ruptured Achilles tendon.
While rehab options are more advanced than they used to be, it’s an injury that will likely keep the Celtics star sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season. In this case, “likely” actually holds home weight.
If there’s one characteristic Tatum is known for, it’s his persistence. The St. Louis native will rarely miss games, even in late March and early April, when Boston’s playoff fate has already been determined.