Jayson Tatum Carted off in Wheelchair Sends Shockwaves Through the NBA – “This Looked Bad”

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum was supposed to continue their winning momentum against the New York Knicks in Game 4.

Jayson Tatum Carted off in Wheelchair Sends Shockwaves Through the NBA – “This Looked Bad”

Jayson Tatum was carried away on a wheelchair after injuring his ankle (Image via FirstSportz)

The Boston Celtics had to win tonight’s Game 4 to both continue their motive of defending their crown, while also avoiding entering a 3-1 hole against the New York Knicks. With that in mind, Jayson Tatum and his teammates went into Madison Square Garden knowing they would need to continue the momentum they built in Game 3.

The 22-point win in that game was a total team effort. They looked to regain their three-point shooting form and elevated their defensive intensity, which seemed to stifle the Knicks. But tonight’s game was more about Tatum than anyone else.

He was ridiculed for not scoring game-winners in back-to-back games. Critics also believed he was struggling to score in late-game situations, which could have avoided the need for such last-ditch shots. With that in mind, the Olympic gold medalist took on the charge right from tip-off.

Tatum led the Celtics to open a double-digit lead that stayed right up until halftime. Then in the third quarter, when the Knicks started to stage a rally of their own, he continued to score at will to keep his team close.

They were nine points down, with three minutes to go, which is not insurmountable for the defending champions. But on the very next possession, Jayson Tatum passed the ball to Jaylen Brown. In that instance, Brown lost the ball, and the Knicks pounced on it.

Seeing this, Tatum tried to extend forward to try and stop it, but then, he went down writhing in pain. He was clutching his right ankle. The game was stopped as Celtics’ medical staff attended to him, and he needed support to walk off the court. Later, ESPN cameras captured the 27-year-old being carried on a wheelchair.

LeBron James and fans stunned after Jayson Tatum possibly suffers Achilles tear

Replays of the injury point to one possible outcome. It seems Jayson Tatum has either an Achilles injury or a tear. Either way, his season comes to an end, and the Boston Celtics can hope that he recovers in time for next season.

But Achilles’ tears usually take longer, which means Tatum might not see a basketball court at least until the end of this calendar year. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James joined fans to pray for the Celtics superstar. Check out those messages below.

Jayson Tatum writhing in pain is the last sight Boston Celtics fans would have liked to see. They were hoping that their squad could go on to defend their NBA title. But now, after losing their leading superstar and also losing game 4 by a score of 121-113 to the New York Knicks, their hopes might be over.

Injury adds to Tatum’s woes after terrible postseason form

Last season, after Jaylen Brown won the NBA Finals MVP, many expected Jayson Tatum to take charge this season. Then, the Paris Olympics controversy had some believing that it would light a fire inside the former Duke standout.

Jayson Tatum did not have a postseason to remember
Jayson Tatum did not have a postseason to remember (Image via The Score/X)

But in a second straight postseason, the St. Louis native looked out of his depth. His woes in this second-round series against the New York Knicks had many questioning his status as a bona fide superstar. These performances added to the notion that Tatum was the beneficiary of a stacked Boston Celtics team.

Now, this ankle injury might take some heat off his back. After all, he scored a game-high 42 points and was pulling his team through the Knicks’ late-game rally. Now he will have to wait until he can return and prove everyone wrong.

However, he might not return to the same Celtics that he has played with this season. Their burgeoning salary and tax liabilities could see the franchise make some tough decisions. They might not let go of Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. But there is a chance the team will lose ground to others once those changes take place.

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