Game 4 Context and Injury Details
On Monday (May 12, 2025), the Knicks beat the defending-champion Boston Celtics 121–113 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in New York, taking a 3–1 series lead. Late in the fourth quarter (with 2:58 remaining), Celtics star Jayson Tatum went down with a non-contact right leg injury, marking a pivotal and painful moment in the series.
Replays show the Jayson Tatum right leg injury occurred as he lunged toward a loose ball — his right leg suddenly gave out, and he crumpled to the floor, clutching his lower leg above the ankle. He immediately signaled for a timeout and buried his face in a towel, clearly in pain. Tatum was eventually helped to his feet and carried off the court in a wheelchair. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla stated that Tatum will have an MRI on Tuesday, though the team has yet to release an official diagnosis.
Reactions from Coaches and Teammates
The injury stunned the Celtics’ locker room. Center Al Horford said he was most worried about Tatum: “I mean, at this point, I’m concerned about Jayson… I’m just hoping that he’s OK,” adding “the game stuff, we’ll address it. But I’m just hoping that he’s OK.”
All-Star guard Jaylen Brown (also a co-captain) was visibly shaken: “I think tonight is tough… we’ve lost our leader… I’ve got no words right now,” he said, noting the team would have to “pick our heads back up tomorrow.”
Center Kristaps Porziņģis urged the team to rally: “We have no choice but to keep going, we have to keep playing… it’s part of this sport…it’s tough to see and hard to accept the truth…but it is what it is,” adding that Tatum wouldn’t want the team to dwell on the loss.
Coach Joe Mazzulla reiterated how out-of-character the injury was: “He’s the type of guy, he gets right up… so he didn’t and we’ll know tomorrow exactly what it is. But yeah, I mean it’s tough to watch a guy like him get carried like that.”
On the Knicks’ side, New York veterans expressed concern for Tatum. Forward Karl-Anthony Towns said he “prayed” for Tatum’s recovery, recalling his own recent calf injury and hoping Tatum has “a quick, painless process” back to health. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson later posted: “Prayers out to JT.”
Media and Fan Reaction
News of the injury spread instantly on social media. Video clips of Tatum’s fall and his tearful exit dominated Twitter and sports feeds. ESPN posted video of Tatum being helped off: “Jayson Tatum was helped off the court late in Game 4 after an apparent leg injury…” SportsCenter noted he was “emotional while leaving the game in a wheelchair from a non-contact injury.”
Fans and commentators quickly began speculating about the severity. A CBS Boston report noted that the play “looked like many of the Achilles injuries that have plagued the NBA,” suggesting the worst-case outcome. Many fans expressed heartbreak, flooding Twitter and forums with messages of concern, though officially the team urged patience until the MRI results.
Medical Update and Team Statements
As of the latest reports, the Celtics have not publicly confirmed the exact nature of the injury. Coach Mazzulla said Tuesday’s MRI will reveal more. The team hasn’t released an official statement beyond confirming the MRI exam and that Tatum was getting treatment. No timeline or medical prognosis has been given. In pregame comments Tuesday, Mazzulla reiterated that Tatum “didn’t get up” after the injury and that he’ll have a clearer update after testing. Reporters note the Celtics are bracing for bad news given the mechanism of injury, but nothing is official yet.
Implications for Game 5 and Beyond
With Tatum out, Boston faces a must-win Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday to keep its season alive. The Celtics become heavy underdogs; Tatum is the team’s leader and highest scorer (he had 42 points in Monday’s game before the injury). Boston will now have to attempt a historic comeback – only 13 NBA teams have ever rallied from a 3–1 deficit, and none have done so on the road since 2016. Porziņģis stressed that the team must “rally together” and “leave it all out there” for their injured teammate.
If Tatum’s injury is serious (as many fear), it not only impacts the next few games but could affect the Celtics’ playoff hopes and next season. For now, the focus is on Game 5: the Celtics must win without their star in order to extend the series.
Read more on the official report by ESPN’s coverage of Tatum’s injury in Game 4.
You may also check Jayson Tatum injury updates.
