Jayson Tatum walking off.Jayson Tatum (Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum reportedly had a heartbreaking two-word question for his father after suffering a devastating Achilles tear against the New York Knicks on Monday night.

Late in the fourth quarter of Game 4, Jayson Tatum suffered a non-contact injury as he attempted to retrieve a loose ball. Tatum had to be taken out of the game in a wheelchair, and the Celtics anounced on Tuesday that he underwent surgery on an Achilles tear that will sideline him long-term.

The Celtics said that Tatum is expected to make a full recovery. There’s no timeline on when he’ll return to action, but an injury this severe will keep him out for the majority (if not all) of the 2025-26 season.

Marc J. Spears said on ESPN that he spoke to Jayson Tatum’s father, Justin Tatum, after the crushing injury. According to Spears, Jayson and Justin cried over the phone during their conversation, with the All-Star asking his father, “Why me?”

Justin tried to reassure his son, telling him, “Son, this is God’s will. You’re young, you’re going to get through this.” Justin also reminded Jason that his idol, Kobe Bryant, bounced back from a torn Achilles.

 

Tatum can also draw inspiration from Kevin Durant, who suffered a torn Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals between his Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors ahead of his 31st birthday. Durant missed the entire 2019-20 season but returned in elite form, earning five straight All-Star nods and two All-NBA Second Team selections.

Celtics’ Other Stars Must Step Up Without Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum (Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
The Celtics trail the Knicks 3-1 in their second-round series, and the Tatum-less defending champions face a long path to winning three straight. It’s not impossible, though, with Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis still leading the way on offense.

Boston hasn’t gotten enough from those four during this series, though, so the Celtics will be sent home packing tonight if they don’t step up in Game 5 at TD Garden.