The 2025 NBA playoffs are rolling on, and the big surprise out of the Eastern Conference is the New York Knicks’ 3-1 lead over the Boston Celtics in their best-of-seven series. The Knicks responded with a 121-113 Game 4 victory after being throttled at home in Game 3.
However, the win comes with a black cloud hanging over it. In the fourth quarter, Boston’s six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum went down with a brutal lower leg injury, and his status for the rest of the series is seriously in doubt.
Jayson Tatum Gets Well Wishes From Many NFL Players
Tatum and the Celtics got off to a slow start in their Eastern Conference semifinal series with New York. Boston lost both home games after horrendous back-to-back 3-point shooting performances. The team went 15 of 60 from beyond the arc in Game 1 and 10 of 40 in Game 2. Tatum, himself, wasn’t good, going 5 of 20 from 3 over the first two games.
When the series shifted to New York for Game 3, the Celtics’ shooting picked up. The team went 20 of 40 from beyond the arc, and outclassed the Knicks 115-93. Game 4 was shaping up the same way, with Boston holding an 11-point lead at halftime. However, the Knicks wouldn’t go away and took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Tatum was in the midst of his best game of the series, shooting 57.1% from the field and 43.8% from 3. He had totaled 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks in 40 minutes before collapsing going after a loose ball.
New York’s OG Anunoby threw down a dunk after securing the loose ball, but Tatum was clearly in pain. He immediately grabbed his right ankle and was visibly upset. The injury came with just over three minutes to play, and the Knicks went up nine after Anunoby’s dunk.
ESPN’s Mike Breen’s call said it all.
“Tatum is hurt. Tatum is down. He wants a timeout. Tatum in so much pain. Grabbing that right ankle.”
The sports world immediately sent Tatum thoughts and prayers on social media, and the NFL was no different. New England Patriots legend Julian Edelman led the way with a heartfelt message to his fellow Boston sports superstar.
Edelman responded to a clip of the injury, saying, “This is rough. Thinking about ya @jaytatum0.”
Many others from around the NFL offered Tatum their prayers as well. Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes tweeted, “Prayers up man…..”
Nine-year veteran and current “Bussin’ With The Boys” co-host Will Compton said, “F****** that’s brutal. Hate to see a player have an injury like this in the playoffs. Prayers up for @jaytatum0.”
Former quarterback Robert Griffin III tweeted a video of Tatum being wheelchaired to the locker room with the message, “Prayers up for Jayson Tatum.”
Many former players turned media personalities also weighed in. FS1’s Emmanuel Acho tweeted the injury clip with a longer message.
He said, “Jayson Tatum, gutted and in tears as he’s pushed in a wheelchair back to the locker room. His inability to flex his ankle, plus his collapse following full extension of pushing off his calf, makes me worry it’s Achilles. Prayers up for Tatum. #Celtics #Knicks”
Marcus Spears tweeted, “Man I hate to see that JT.”
Ryan Clark said, “Man I hate that for Tatum though. Makes me sick! Non contact injuries always scare me.”
Former quarterback Dan Orlovsky rounded out the NFL responses with, “Oh man this sucks Hope Tatum is gonna be ok.”
It was reported as a lower leg injury, but many are speculating that Tatum injured his Achilles. With Game 5 just a day away, it seems unlikely that he will play. The Celtics won the NBA Finals last season and were poised to repeat, but losing their best player at this stage could mean the end for Boston’s repeat hopes.