There really are no words.
Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles on Monday night in the playoffs against the Knicks. Boston officially announced the heartbreaking news on Tuesday afternoon.
The official statement from the Celtics read like this:
"Jayson Tatum today underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. No timetable is currently available for his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery. Further updates will be provided when appropriate."
MORE: There's only one player who can save the Celtics vs. Knicks
Tatum was injured when he attempted to plant his right foot to chase after a loose ball during the fourth quarter Monday night.
He went down behind the play and writhed on the ground in pain. When replays showed it was a non-contact injury, the basketball world feared the worst.
The worst was confirmed less than 24 hours later.
Achilles tears can take more than a year to recover fully. Tatum could be looking at an entirely lost 2025-26 season.
His absence will raise trade questions, but those are for another moment.
Right now, Boston's collective heart breaks for Tatum. The basketball world's collective heart breaks for Tatum.
He's been as durable as they come since entering the NBA, eventually having his ability and availability pay off in an NBA championship last spring.
Now, Tatum's future is in question.
Hopefully, he comes back and plays like the future Hall of Famer that he clearly is. But we'll never know for sure until No. 0 gets back on the floor.
In the meantime, the basketball world will miss him.
MORE NBA NEWS:
- Mavs have chance to make craziest trade in NBA history
- 76ers are second-biggest winners of NBA Draft lottery
- Jayson Tatum injury just opened the trade door
- Victor Wembanyama just got his point guard
- LeBron's reaction to Cooper Flagg's Mavs news has retirement rumors intensifying
- Mavs' Cooper Flagg result is biggest second chance in NBA history