CNN
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Boston Celtics star Jason Tatum is scheduled to go out for a long time after undergoing surgery after ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a playoff game Monday night, the team announced Tuesday.
The Celtics said he is expected to recover in full. The team did not schedule a return trip, but Achilles’ full recovery from an injury often takes several months, but it won’t take any more.
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news.
Tatum’s injury is a tough blow to the defending champion who is on the verge of elimination in the second round of the NBA playoffs. The New York Knicks took a 3-1 lead in the Top 7 Series after winning Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.
Tatum has put together another incredible season, averaging more than 26 points per game over eight rebounds in the regular season, increasing its production in the playoffs.
Tatum was fantastic in the Knicks’ first four games in the conference semi-finals. He scored 33.5 points and seven assists per game. Because the Celtics were trying to delve into Game 4 and out of the 2-0 series deficit.
Later in the fourth quarter, the Celtics forward fell with obvious contactless injuries as he tried to chase the loose ball. He immediately grabbed his right ankle and seemed to be in a lot of pain.
Tatum was rescued from the court as he was unable to put pressure on his right foot and was taken through a wheelchair tunnel at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Tatum finished with a game-high 42 points, linking Celtics legends Larry Bird and John Havelisek in the most 40-point postseason game in franchise history. Tatum scored eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks in 40 minutes.
However, his team was unable to overcome the loss of a star player and eventually faded into the Knicks and the raucous Madison Square Garden crowd. The game ended 121-113 in favor of New York. Boston now has to roll off three wins in a row to keep repeating hope alive.
After the game, Tatum’s injuries loomed on players from both teams.
“It’s our brother. I hate seeing him fall. I know the type of guy he has. It’s hard to see him fall,” Celtics guard Derrick White scored 23 points. “We have to find a way to win Game 5.”
Boston guard Jaylen Brown finished with 20 points and seven rebounds and said it was “tough” for Tatum to go down.
“It’s tough tonight. I think everyone is speechless just because they’re losing the game, obviously because of JT’s concerns. But tomorrow I’ll get my head back and go from there.”.
Knicks star Jalen Branson said he “pray for the best” for Tatum.
“We want to go out there and compete, but when a player in his caliber is falling down and rolling in such pain, you give my thoughts and prayers because you never want to see something like that.”
Game 5 is Boston on Wednesday.
This story has been updated with additional information.