Fractured right Achilles tendon! Green officer Xuan Tatum has undergone repair surgery and is expected to recover in 9-12 months

On May 14, Beijing time, the Celtics officially updated Tatum's injury, writing: "Jayson Tatum successfully completed surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon rupture today. It is not yet possible to determine the timing of his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery. If there is an update on the follow-up, we will report it in a timely manner. "The last thing everyone wants to see is the news that Tatum has ruptured his Achilles tendon. Medical expert Jeffries said it is expected to take 9-12 months of recovery, with Tatum likely to be reimbursed next season.

Tatum was injured in Game 4 of the playoffs at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, a 113-121 loss for the Celtics. With 3:07 left and the Knicks leading by seven points, Tatum made a pass error that bounced off him and Knicks defender Anunoby.

After Tatum landed on his right foot, he quickly changed direction and pounced on the basketball. At that moment, his right leg suddenly lost support, and the Celtics star was in agony. After rolling on the ground in pain, Tatum was lifted up and lifted into the locker room with his feet in the air, without straining his injured right leg.

Surveillance footage from the visiting locker room at Madison Square Garden showed Tatum being wheeled out in a wheelchair and looking frustrated along the way. "He's usually the kind of guy who gets up right after a fall, but this time he didn't. We'll know exactly what the injury is tomorrow," Celtics head coach Mazzulla said at the post-game press conference at the time, "and it's really uncomfortable to watch him get carried off the court." ”

After the game, there was an atmosphere of shock and worry in the Celtics locker room. Celtic reporter Darzel described the scene as "dead silent". Both Porzingis and Horford expressed concern for their injured teammates, with Jaylen Brown even more at the press conference.

"It's been a tough night, I don't think we know what to say," Brown said with a long pause, "there's really nothing more to say." ”

The 27-year-old Tatum has just finished another stellar season, where he was named to the All-NBA team and finished in the top five regular season MVP selections. This season, he played in 72 games, averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three-point range.

In March of this year, Tatum just turned 27 years old. He signed a five-year, $313 million contract extension with the team last offseason, and the 2025-26 season is the first year of his contract, and he will receive a salary of $54.1 million. The contract runs through the 2029-30 season, when he also has a $71.4 million player option.

Tatum is an important core for the Celtics. It was with his outstanding performance and leadership that the Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship, and it is because of this that the team entered this year's playoffs with the goal of hitting back-to-back championships.

Now that Tatum is injured, the Celtics are at risk of going out of the Eastern Conference semifinals. They are currently trailing the Knicks 3-1, and if they are out, it will end the team's record of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for three consecutive years.

Looking ahead, with Tatum basically reimbursed for the 2025-26 season, the Celtics have to make difficult choices in terms of roster adjustments.