Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season following surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon in his right leg. Tatum sustained the injury late in the fourth quarter of Game 4 during the Celtics’ second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks on Monday night.
According to Marc J. Spears of ESPN, Tatum’s father, Justin Tatum, revealed that the forward’s recovery time could span between 8 to 9 months. This injury will significantly impact Boston as they prepare for next season without one of their top players.
The injury to Tatum, who played a key role in the Celtics’ 2024 NBA championship win, is a major setback for the team’s title defense.
The 27-year-old had been averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game during the current season, earning All-NBA First Team honors for the fourth straight year. Tatum also won a gold medal with Team USA last summer and recently signed a five-year, $313 million supermax contract extension.
While the Celtics face a challenging road ahead without their star forward, the organization remains optimistic about his long-term outlook. Boston expressed confidence that Tatum will fully recover and return to elite form after undergoing surgery earlier this week.
As Boston shifts focus back to the playoffs, Derrick White delivered a playoff career-high 34 points in Game 5, helping the Celtics stay alive against the Knicks. The team will need more such efforts from its supporting cast to advance without Tatum.
