The worst news has arrived for the Boston Celtics and their fans. Jayson Tatum, one of the team’s biggest stars, has suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his right leg — a devastating injury that will sideline him for a long time and casts serious doubt over both the current season and the franchise’s near future.

The incident took place during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, held Monday at Madison Square Garden. Tatum, who was having a brilliant performance with 42 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals, went down after an offensive play, clearly in pain, and could not continue. He had to be helped off the court and was later seen in a wheelchair in the arena’s hallways.

A Major Blow for the Celtics and Their Superstar

The diagnosis was confirmed on Tuesday: a complete Achilles tendon tear. Reporter Shams Charania broke the news, detailing the severity of the injury and reporting that the player has already undergone surgery. The setback not only affects Boston’s chances in the series — where they trail New York 3-1 — but also represents a major challenge for the Celtics’ long-term plans, especially amid an ongoing ownership transition.

“It’s heartbreaking to see a guy like Tatum leave the court like that,” said head coach Joe Mazzulla after the game. The coach also acknowledged how emotionally tough it will be for the team to move forward without their top player.

At 27 years old, Tatum is already a six-time All-Star and has been named to the All-NBA First Team in the past three seasons. During the regular season, he averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6 assists, playing a crucial role for a Celtics team that won the championship last year.

Game 5 will be played this Wednesday at the TD Garden, and although the odds are against them, the Celtics will try to pull off a historic comeback. In NBA history, only 13 teams have ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in 293 attempts. And now, without their superstar, the mission looks tougher than ever.