Celtics’ Jayson Tatum To Undergo MRI, Feared To Have Suffered Achilles Or Serious Ankle Injury

Celtics star Jayson Tatum was carried off the court with a potentially serious right leg injury during the fourth quarter of Boston’s 121-113 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4 on Monday night.

Tatum went down after taking an awkward step at the top of the key, immediately grabbing at his lower leg and unable to get up under his own power. He was helped to the locker room without putting any weight on the leg.

The early fear is that the injury may involve Tatum’s Achilles tendon or ankle, though the Celtics have yet to confirm specifics. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

“We’ll see where it goes (after the MRI).” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said, per The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. “It’s tough to see a guy like him get carried off.”

Tatum had poured in 42 points, along with eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks, in what looked like a legacy performance before disaster struck.

Instead, the Celtics now face a 3-1 series deficit, and the possibility of going forward without their franchise player.

“The loss is the loss,” veteran big man Al Horford said. “More importantly it’s Jayson I’m worried about.”

The Celtics have championship aspirations and a roster built for a deep run, but Tatum’s injury may have just altered the Eastern Conference landscape. His Designated Veteran extension, worth a projected $314 million over five years, kicks in next season.

As for the Knicks, they outscored Boston 37-21 in the final period and closed strong behind Jalen Brunson’s 33 points to take full control of the first-round series.

But all eyes in Boston — and across the league — are now on Tatum’s MRI.