The Boston Celtics will be without their superstar as they attempt to keep their season alive against the New York Knicks.
Jayson Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series between the teams on Monday, May 12, ending his season while the Celtics are on the brink of elimination.
The non-contact injury occurred during the fourth quarter, when Tatum attempted to beat the Knicks’ OG Anunoby to a loose ball.
Tatum, 27, underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, May 13, and offered fans an update from his hospital bed the following day.
Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images; Bruce Bennett/Getty Images High school buddies Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk both added their first championships to their professional resumes in the span of a week. Boston Celtics star Tatum, 26, won his first NBA title when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals […]
“Thankful for all the love and support 🙏🏽,” the six-time NBA All-Star posted via X on Wednesday, May 14, sharing a picture of his right foot in a massive cast.
“No timetable is currently available for his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery,” the Celtics announced on Tuesday.
Game 5 between the Celtics and Knicks tips off Wednesday at 7 pm ET on TNT from Boston’s TD Garden.
Keep reading to see the well wishes Tatum received from athletes, celebrities and some of the Knicks themselves.
Jalen Brunson
During his Game 4 postgame press conference, the New York Knicks star opened with a message to Tatum.
“The league needs Jayson Tatum,” Brunson, 28, told reporters. “He still has a lot to do in his career, a lot of time to make an impact and make a name for his legacy. What he’s done is special.”
Karl Anthony Towns
The Knicks star, who suffered a leg injury in 2022, called on his late mom, who died in 2020, as Tatum was being helped off the court.
“I’ve been in a situation like that with my calf,” Towns, 29, told reporters after Game 4. “If you saw, I just walked up, obviously respectful of his space. I just put my head down and prayed to my mother, prayed to God to put protection over him and comfort, whatever the injury may be. I hope it’s minor.”
Steph Curry
“Get right big fella! 🙌🏽,” the Golden State Warriors star commented on Tatum’s Instagram post.
Curry is currently dealing with a strained left hamstring that has left him out of Games 2, 3 and 4 of the Warriors’ playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
LeBron James
“🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾Big Deuce,” James posted via X, a reference to Tatum’s 7-year-old son, Deuce.
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Patrick Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback immediately took to social media after Tatum’s injury.
“Prayers up man…..🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼,” Mahomes, 29, wrote via X.
Ben Stiller
Diehard Knicks fan Stiller, who was courtside at Madison Square Garden when Tatum was injured, left a heartfelt message for the Celtics star.
“Wishing a speedy and full recovery to a brilliant player and really kind person @jaytatum0,” Stiller, 59, posted via X.
He continued, “As intense as every Knick fan was rooting for the team, no one ever wants to see this. That was an amazing game because Tatum was at his best, and entertaining us all. Much love and respect.”
Julian Edelman
The former New England Patriots star shared a video of Tatum’s injury via X and wrote, “This is rough. Thinking about ya @jaytatum0 🙏🏼.”
Donnie Wahlberg
“Much Love JT! 🫡🙏🏼❤️☘️,” the actor and Celtics fan commented on Tatum’s Instagram post.
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