The Boston Celtics were bounced from the playoffs early, falling to the New York Knicks in the second round. But the loss hit even harder because the Celtics entered the series as defending champions. And beyond losing the series, they suffered an even more devastating blow: Losing Jayson Tatum.
Tatum went down in the pivotal Game 4 with a ruptured Achilles tendon — one of the worst injuries in basketball. It’s expected to keep him out for well over a year. With Tatum likely sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season, the Celtics suddenly find themselves at a crossroads.
While the contracts of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are significant trade assets, Boston appears committed to keeping White and is reportedly not interested in moving Jaylen Brown. Holiday and Porzingis could be dealt, but the future of this team feels uncertain.
Can Jayson Tatum Return 100% From Achilles Injury?
Despite the gloomy outlook for next season, there’s a bit of optimism. While Tatum will miss extended time, there’s hope he could return to his old form.
Recovery timelines vary, but NBA insider Shams Charania shared an encouraging update on “The Pat McAfee Show.” He said Tatum had surgery just 12 hours after the injury, which doctors believe could help his recovery.
“Jayson Tatum had his surgery just over twelve hours after his Achilles tear..
That doctor believes that will allow him to heal better” ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xwVO763yZY— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 27, 2025
“He’s expected to miss most of next season, if not the entire next season. I think that’s what Boston is prepared for.”
Charania revealed that the doctor who performed Tatum’s surgery is the same doctor who worked on Kevin Durant. Only Durant’s surgery was 36 hours post-injury.
“That doctor believes that the time helps and will allow him to heal better. But Kevin Durant also got 18 months off before he came back, so you’re going to have to be very cautious with Jayson Tatum when he gets back. What you’re going to see from the Celtics, as well, is they’re gonna start to reshift their team. So they’re going to have to be patient with him.”
Even if he’s out all year, how well Tatum can bounce back physically will be key. If the early surgery makes a difference, fans could see him return at full strength in 2026-27.
Can the Celtics Survive Without Tatum?
Boston’s offseason plans are still unclear, but one thing’s certain — the payroll is heavy, and shedding salary might be necessary. Potential trades involving Holiday and Porzingis could help keep the team competitive, depending on the return.
Getting younger might also give Boston more flexibility with lineups and pace. But it all comes down to who they can get in exchange, and how well the rest of the core plays without Tatum.
The 2025-26 season will be the Celtics’ first without their superstar since he arrived in Boston. Surviving the year, staying afloat, and staying in the playoff hunt have to be the priority.
Will the Celtics remain competitive without Tatum? And when he returns, can he lead them back to the playoffs and another Finals run in 2026-27? Only time will tell.
