Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks final injury report (Game 6) - Is Jayson Tatum available for tonight's game? (May 16, 2025)

Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics’ All-Star forward, is not playing in Game 6 against the New York Knicks on May 16, 2025. Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, which required season-ending surgery earlier this week. After successful surgery in New York, he was released from the hospital and reunited with his teammates at their hotel on Thursday, but he remains sidelined for the remainder of the postseason.The Boston Celtics have officially ruled Tatum out for Game 6, listing him on their injury report due to his Achilles tendon repair. This injury is significant, with a typical recovery timeline of around nine months, meaning Tatum will not return to the court until well into the next NBA season. His absence is a major blow for Boston, as Tatum had been a key contributor throughout the playoffs and is renowned for his ability to create offense in isolation, a skill that set him apart as one of the league’s top scorers.Despite the setback, Jayson Tatum’s presence off the court has been a source of inspiration for his teammates. Boston Celtics players described their pre-Game 6 meeting with Tatum as emotional and uplifting, emphasizing that their focus was on his well-being rather than basketball strategy. Guard Payton Pritchard noted, “We didn’t talk about basketball at all. That stuff is bigger than basketball now. It’s seeing how he is as a person, how he’s dealing with stuff. The basketball side, we’ll handle that. But just want to check-in as a friend”.Boston has proven resilient without Jayson Tatum, winning Game 5 in convincing fashion to force a Game 6. The team is rallying around the idea of “playing for Tatum,” with other stars like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White stepping up in his absence. However, the challenge remains steep, as the Celtics are attempting to become just the 14th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series.Also read: Is Jaylen Brown playing tonight against the New York Knicks in Game 6? Latest update on the Boston Celtic star's injury report (May 16, 2025)In summary, Jayson Tatum is not playing in Game 6 on May 16, 2025, due to a season-ending Achilles injury. While his on-court presence is missed, his support and spirit continue to motivate the Boston Celtics as they fight to keep their championship hopes alive.