The Celtics felt numb when Jayson Tatum fell to the ground in what seemed like severe pain. The franchise’s mainstay ruptured his Achilles. Prior to that, Tatum was almost invulnerable. He had missed just one postseason game in his career. But now, a long recovery road lies ahead. Even his future has a tint of uncertainty, as an Achilles injury can be career-altering for a basketball player.

Many great careers suffered a bitter end because of it. But that’s not always the case. Kevin Durant went through it in 2019. Since he was older, many analysts felt the Slim Reaper may not be the same player when he returned. However, after missing close to two seasons, Durant didn’t look much different.

In Tatum’s case, he is much younger than KD. So, although Tim Bontemps isn’t entirely sure how the injury will impact his career, he is optimistic about the All-NBA forward’s recovery.

“We have to see what happens with Jayson Tatum going forward. Like Kevin Durant is probably the best analog for what you hope this looks like. Kevin Durant came back and has been a phenomenal player. Hasn’t been quite the same player. Jayson Tatum is a little younger. Hopefully, that will help him recover in a better fashion. He’s obviously a maniacal worker. I’m sure he’s going to do everything in his power to get back to where he can get to,” he said on The Hoop Collective.

Durant is an important reference in this matter. Not only has he proven that a great work ethic can help build a sustainable career, he has also managed to prolong his basketball life. Inspired by Kobe Bryant, Jayson Tatum’s work ethic can best be described as obsessive.

If you want proof, look no further than the beginning of the 2025-26 season. Tatum came off an unpleasant Paris Olympics. He barely logged any minutes and failed to register a three-pointer. So in the offseason, he put hours in the gym just to fix a mechanical issue with his jumpshot. Al Horford saw him having finished a workout when he arrived at the Celtics’ facility.

“He must have gotten there at 6 a.m.,” Horford speculated.

That may also be the reason Tatum opted to have surgery immediately. It’s going to be mentally challenging getting through such an injury. But without struggle, there is no strength. So for Tatum, this is an obstacle from which he will most likely emerge stronger than before. The same though can’t be said for the Celtics.

The Celtics’ struggle to comprehend Jayson Tatum’s injury

After losing Game 4, the Celtics faced a 3-1 series score. In the majority of cases, elimination has followed. However, most of the Celtics didn’t have much to say about the loss. 38-year-old Al Horford best summed up the mood within the locker room. “The loss is the loss. More importantly, it’s Jayson I’m worried about,” he said in his press conference.

But the shock was even worse in the Celtics locker room.

“I’ve been in a lot of locker rooms. I’ve never been in a locker room as quiet as the Celtics locker room last night. There was not a single noise made for a half an hour. Nobody said a word. Nobody did anything. It was just, everybody knew how bad a situation it was. And everybody knew what it meant for the franchise, not just for Tatum, but for the franchise going forward,” Bontemps revealed.

Due to the hefty financial bill that awaits the Celtics if they keep the same roster, cost-cutting moves are almost inevitable. It meant this was their last chance to rewrite history. With a healthy roster, no team or series scoreline seemed daunting. However, things quickly changed for the Shamrocks.

The Hoop Collective crew still thinks the series isn’t over. But with Tatum’s injury, the morale is heavily hit. They know this might be the last time they all play together. As for the franchise’s future, Jayson Tatum will be in the first year of his $33 million extension next season. With his unavailability, the Celtics are in a tricky spot.

They have to make some key decisions to get under the second apron. Not only that, but adjusting without Tatum in these circumstances is going to be gruesome for the team. What was seen as an upcoming dynasty may have been shattered by his injury. For now, the future looks bleak.