The injury of Jayson Tatum Achille opens a window for the contenders for the Eastern Conference
The injuries are part of basketball, and the Boston Celtics learned that from the first hand when they lost Jayson Tatum because of a broken Achilles tendon.
Tatum suffered the injury in the Monday evening qualifying series and immediately underwent surgery on Tuesday. Its status to adapt and play in the NBA 2025-20126 season is in doubt, because the 27-year-old superstar faces a long path to recovery.
Although it is a new devastator for the Celtics – which seems ready to wave the white flag in the semi -finals of the Eastern Conference – the unhappy injury of Tatum will open the door to several contenders for the title.
New York Knicks
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, United States; The New York striker Knicks Og Anunoby (8) rushes from the ball while the Boston Celtic striker Jayson Tatum (0) reacts to a second half injury in the fourth round of the second round for the NBA 2025 qualifiers at the Madison Square Garden. Compulsory credit: Images by Vincent Carchietta-Imagn The Knicks are the obvious team that will benefit from the injury of Tatum. They seem ready to dethrone the Celtics in the current NBA qualifiers.
This organization was the darling of the offseason. Their professions for the bridges of Mikal and the cities of Karl-Anthony were “win-plus” maneuvers, made in the hope of gaining an advantage against Boston. Now we see that paying.
The cities, the bridges and Jalen Brunson are all under contract until next season. The Knicks will eliminate the Celtics this year, and do not be surprised if they are a serious favorite to get out of the East next season.
Indiana Pacers
January 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, United States; The Boston Celtics striker, Jayson Tatum (0), shoots the ball against the goalkeeper of the Indiana Pacers Bennedict Mathurin (00) in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Credits: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA Sportive today The Pacers simply rebounded the Cleveland Cavaliers n ° 1 in five games. Remember that Indiana made the final of the Eastern Conference last season, where they failed the possible Celtics Champion of the NBA. This team is tested in combat.
Pacers can score a lot of points, but they simply did not have the power of the superstar to match Tatum and Jaylen Brown. But without a tatum? Tyrese Haliburton certainly seems ready to take the torch as one of the best young stars in the league. Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner were too much for Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to manage.
As long as the Pacers can maintain their team identity initially intact, they could capitalize on a low conference in the East next season.
Cleveland riders
December 14, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, United States; Cleveland goalkeeper Darius Garland (10) leads the ball against the Boston Celtics striker Jayson Tatum (0) to the first quarter at TD Garden. Credits: David Butler II-USA today Sports As embarrassing as the NBA qualifiers were for the riders once again, they have excuses.
The goalkeeper Darius Garland was so important for the success of Cleveland throughout the regular season. He missed two games against the Pacers with a big seriously injured toe, and on his return, he simply did not have the burst of contributing offensively. Donovan Mitchell spent two games against the Indiana by treating a tracked calf, while Evan Mobley fought a tracked ankle and the Hunter had a lush thick on his firing hand.
The Cavs are likely to make it go back next season with a few small adjustments. In an eastern Tatum conference, Cleveland should seek to capitalize on its successful regular seasons and understand what continues to fail them.
