Jayson Tatum faced an acute pain moment during a critical juncture in the Celtics playoffs. As he reached for the ball with 2:58 remaining in Game 4 of their second-round playoff matchup against the New York Knicks, he fell to the hardwood of Madison Square Garden.

Lying on the floor, Tatum’s distress was evident; he clutched his right leg and curled into himself. After being taken off the court in a wheelchair, he concealed his face, overwhelmed by both physical pain and emotional turmoil.

An MRI confirmed his fears: Tatum had sustained a torn Achilles tendon.

This injury is not just a significant challenge for Tatum—who is only 27 years old—but also strikes a serious blow to the Boston Celtics, the reigning champions. Their aspirations of maintaining a championship-caliber team in the short and long term now seem uncertain.

Recovery from an Achilles tear can take a year, and often, even the most talented athletes do not fully regain their prior form.

The Celtics have been dominant over the last few seasons, recording two Finals appearances and a strong playoff performance during their last championship-winning run.

With Tatum and Jaylen Brown finally thriving as a duo, working together for their team rather than focusing on individual accolades, they appeared poised for another successful run. Brown even won Finals MVP last season.

With Tatum injured and the Celtics trailing 3-1 in the series against the Knicks, the organization faces existential questions about its future. Will they trade Tatum’s teammates or adjust their lineup?

Tatum’s performance was stellar prior to his injury, showcasing his relentless effort on the behalf of the Celtics. He scored 42 points in that game before the injury.

After winning their last championship, the Celtics now find themselves confronting an unpredictable future under new ownership and a troubled season ahead. Tatum’s injury represents a poignant challenge to everything he has built since being drafted by the Celtics in 2017.