Justin R. Turpin

3 weeks ago | audacy.com | Justin R. Turpin

The worst nightmare has become reality for Jayson Tatum and the Celtics. Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in the Celtics' Game 4 loss to the Knicks and underwent surgery on Tuesday. The injury puts his availability for the 2025-26 campaign in jeopardy. "No timetable is currently available for his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery," the Celtics announced.

3 weeks ago | audacy.com | Justin R. Turpin

NEW YORK - Jaylen Brown took a seat at the podium with his head down. "It's tough," he said after a long exhale. "There's not really much to say," he added, shaking his head after a seven-second pause. There were plenty of deep breaths and long silences throughout the night following the Celtics' 121-113 loss to the Knicks - a loss that put them in a 3-1 hole in their Eastern Conference Semifinals series. But the result was secondary. The main concern was Jayson Tatum. "Tonight is tough," Brown added.

3 weeks ago | audacy.com | Justin R. Turpin

NEW YORK - Payton Pritchard is a competitor. He's always been that way. He relishes the opportunity to compete on the biggest of stages when the lights are the brightest. So when the Celtics found themselves with their backs against the wall, down 0-2 in hostile territory, of course, he embraced the moment. "You wouldn't want to be in any other position as a competitor. This is the best moment you can be in, down 2-0, backs against the wall," he said.

4 weeks ago | audacy.com | Justin R. Turpin

NEW YORK - After falling behind 0-2, there was no panic from the Celtics. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Al Horford - a trio that's played in 17 postseason series together - each made it clear they'd been here before. And they welcomed the challenge. "This group, a lot of us have been in so many different playoff situations and series. It's not like it's our first time," said Tatum. "Sometimes you need to lean on that experience.

4 weeks ago | audacy.com | Justin R. Turpin

There are plenty of intricacies to the game of basketball, but at its roots, it's a simple game. If you aren't making shots, it's hard to win. And while you can point to other factors - turnovers, defensive breakdowns, lack of attention to detail, closing quarters, rebounding, and some late-game execution - the real reason the Celtics find themselves in an 0-2 hole is because they're missing shots they usually make.