Losing Twice in One Night

Although the wins and losses that matter usually are focused on the scoreboard and the standings, other wins and losses exist.

In fact, they can be even more impactful.

For the Boston Celtics, losing Game Four of their series against the New York Knicks on Monday night was a blow that puts them on the brink of elimination; however a 3-1 series deficit is a hole that they can dig themselves out of.

The bigger loss on the night was that of Jayson Tatum.

Whilst the results of the MRI scan on his lower right leg injury have not been made public at time of writing, everyone at the Celtics must be fearing the worst. The non-contact way it happened, and the sheer pain Tatum was in, are horribly similar to the dreaded torn Achilles tendon injury that the Bucks’ Damian Lillard suffered earlier in the month.

If those fears are confirmed, it won’t only finish Tatum’s 2024-25 season early, it will write off most, if not all, of his 2025-26 season too.

Fingers crossed for Tatum and the Celtics that the injury is less severe than it originally looks.

Although the immediate news is unlikely to change Tatum’s availability for the rest of this series – his season is surely over even if it’s not a long-term injury – it will have an obvious impact on the mood in the Boston camp.

Game Five takes place on Thursday night at TD Garden. The Boston crowd will need to bring their best to help raise their team after a demoralising Game Four.