Nov 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket whereas Cleveland Cavaliers ahead Evan Mobley (4) defends in the course of the first half at TD Backyard. Necessary Credit score: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Photos Accidents are a part of basketball, and the Boston Celtics realized that firsthand once they misplaced Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Tatum suffered the harm throughout Monday night’s second-round playoff matchup and instantly underwent surgical procedure on Tuesday. His standing to swimsuit up and play within the 2025–26 NBA season is in critical doubt, because the 27-year-old celebrity faces an extended highway to restoration.
Whereas that is devastating information for the Celtics—who look able to wave the white flag within the Jap Convention semifinals—Tatum’s unlucky harm will open the door for a number of title contenders.
New York Knicks
Might 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks ahead OG Anunoby (8) rushes of the ball as Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum (0) reacts to an harm within the second half throughout sport 4 of the second spherical for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Sq. Backyard. Necessary Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Photos The Knicks are the apparent group that may profit from Tatum’s harm. They give the impression of being primed to dethrone the Celtics within the present NBA playoffs.
This group was the darling of the offseason. Their trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Cities had been “win-now” maneuvers, made with hopes of gaining an edge in opposition to Boston. Now, we’re seeing that repay.
Cities, Bridges and Jalen Brunson are all beneath contract by a minimum of subsequent season. The Knicks are going to take down the Celtics this 12 months, and don’t be shocked in the event that they’re a critical favourite to return out of the East subsequent season as properly.
Indiana Pacers
Jan 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball in opposition to Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) within the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports activities The Pacers simply bounced the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 video games. Bear in mind, Indiana made the Jap Convention finals simply final season, the place they fell quick to the eventual NBA champion Celtics. This group is battle-tested.
The Pacers can rating numerous factors, however they only didn’t possess the celebrity energy to match Tatum and Jaylen Brown. However with out Tatum? Tyrese Haliburton actually seems able to take the torch as one of many league’s greatest younger stars. Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner had been an excessive amount of for Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to deal with.
So long as the Pacers can hold their team-first id intact, they might capitalize on a weak Jap Convention subsequent season.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Dec 14, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives the ball in opposition to Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum (0) within the first quarter at TD Backyard. credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports activities As embarrassing because the NBA playoffs had been for the Cavaliers but once more, they do have some excuses.
All-Star guard Darius Garland was so necessary to Cleveland’s success all through the common season. He missed two video games in opposition to the Pacers with a badly injured massive toe, and when he returned, he simply didn’t have the burst to contribute offensively. Donovan Mitchell spent two video games in opposition to Indiana coping with a sprained calf, whereas Evan Mobley battled a sprained ankle and De’Andre Hunter had a dislocated thumb on his taking pictures hand.
The Cavs are prone to run it again subsequent season with some small tweaks. In an Jap Convention with out Tatum, Cleveland ought to look to capitalize on its profitable common seasons and determine what continues to fail them come playoff time.
