The Boston Celtics are facing a must-win Game 6 against the New York Knicks on Friday night, and though star forward Jayson Tatum won’t be in uniform, his presence will still loom large over Madison Square Garden.
Tatum was released from a New York hospital this week after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon suffered late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The injury was a devastating blow to the defending champions, who now face elimination down 3-2 in the series.
Still, Tatum made a surprise and emotional return to his teammates on Thursday, visiting them at the team hotel for the first time since being carried off the court. His visit served as a rallying moment for the Celtics, many of whom are playing with extra motivation to extend their playoff run in honor of their injured leader.
“It sucks to see someone go down like that who doesn’t deserve it,” Celtics guard Sam Hauser told reporters Friday morning. “But he wouldn’t want more than us to just keep winning. We saw him yesterday. He seems to be in good spirits. Definitely thinking about him and trying to get some wins for him.”
Tatum, 27, had his surgery on Tuesday and is expected to face approximately a nine-month recovery. That timeline mirrors other high-profile Achilles injuries in recent years, such as Kevin Durant’s in 2019, which caused him to miss the entire 2019–20 NBA season.
Despite the devastating setback, Tatum’s resilience is already inspiring his team. Guard Payton Pritchard described the visit as emotional, emphasizing that their bond extends beyond the court.
“We didn’t talk about basketball at all. That stuff is bigger than basketball now,” said Pritchard. “It’s seeing how he is as a person, how he’s dealing with stuff. The basketball side, we’ll handle that. But just wanted to check-in as a friend.”
The Celtics are attempting to become just the 14th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series. A win Friday would force a Game 7 on Monday night at TD Garden in Boston — giving the Celtics a chance to complete what would be a historic comeback.
Tatum’s leadership and steady production have been a cornerstone of Boston’s identity, and his absence leaves a significant void on both ends of the floor. Yet the Celtics still have a talented, deep roster capable of rallying together behind veteran leadership and motivated by the loss of their All-Star.
Boston now turns to players like Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday to carry the torch offensively and maintain their elite defensive presence. With Tatum watching and supporting from nearby, the Celtics have no shortage of motivation.
Friday’s Game 6 promises to be a battle — not just between two teams, but between adversity and resilience. For Boston, the challenge is steep, but the emotional lift from their fallen leader might be just the spark they need.
