NBA Exec Calls Celtics' Jayson Tatum's Achilles Injury 'Seismic and League Changing'

Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles will have a profound impact on the Boston Celtics, but it could also change the landscape of the entire NBA.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, one NBA executive called Tatum's injury "seismic and league changing."

Tatum has been named to the All-NBA in each of the last three seasons and has turned the Celtics back into a perennial contender since entering the league in 2017.

Even as Boston faced a 2-1 series deficit heading into Monday night's matchup against the New York Knicks, a championship was still on the table for the Celtics because of Tatum.

While Boston hasn't been eliminated from the postseason yet, it's hard to imagine it can erase a 3-1 deficit without Tatum on the court. The Celtics' hopes of repeating as champions seem over, but what's even more bleak is the year ahead.

Tatum could be looking at a recovery time that would leave him out for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season. That means Boston will most likely have to settle for a down year or make major changes to its roster to morph into a Finals contender in Tatum's absence.

Major changes are certainly coming for the Celtics because of Tatum's injury, and at least one executive thinks the rest of the league will feel the ramifications as well.