The Boston Celtics and their star forward, Jayson Tatum, faced a heartbreaking blow during the Eastern Conference semifinals this May. A ruptured Achilles tendon ended Tatum’s season, leaving both the player and the franchise grappling with uncertainty about what lies ahead.

In the 2025 NBA playoffs, superstars Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum all tore their Achilles' tendons, ending their bids to play next season. While Haliburton and Lillard have both made it clear that they will not play for the Indiana Pacers or Portland Trail Blazers next season,

The Boston Celtics are entering what could be a throwaway season in the 2025-26 campaign. After Jayson Tatum went down with a torn Achilles in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the team underwent major changes during the offseason.