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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a three-pointer during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics entered the 2026 NBA Playoffs carrying championship expectations openly on their shoulders, but injuries have since become a defining factor in their playoff run as they fight to advance in their first round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
What once looked like another deep postseason run has instead turned into a fight for survival as health concerns threaten to derail Boston’s title hopes at the worst possible time, especially with starter Jayson Tatum’s unexpected and devastating exit from Game 6 with a lower limb injury in the third quarter of the matchup. Tatum’s injury is just the latest in a string of injury woes for the Celtics that have been categorized as a larger trend in this year’s NBA Playoffs by ESPN. Here’s how Boston’s injury concerns stack up against competitors in the league as the first round of playoff bids and action-packed court battles unfold.
Heavy Sports initially broke the news of Jayson Tatum’s Game 6 injury here.
Jayson Tatum’s Exit Culminates a Boston Celtics’ Playoff Run Against Philadelphia 76ers That Has Been Riddled With Injuries
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics fouls Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics suffered a major setback when star player Jayson Tatum went down with a lower body injury during the third quarter of tonight’s Game 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers. In their team’s recently published analysis of 2026 NBA Playoffs trends, ESPN highlighted the growing frequency of injuries to star players across the league during the playoffs. With Tatum’s lingering Achilles recovery remaining one of the most critical storylines even before his Game 6 exit, the Celtics are just one of many franchises fighting to keep their roster healthy enough to remain competitive in their title pursuit.
If the Celtics are going to return to the NBA Finals this season, they will likely need their presently injured players – including Jayson Tatum, among other teammates on the roster – to be able to return to game play on the court. The larger issue for Boston may reflect a growing NBA-wide phenomenon as injuries during playoff matchups continue on the rise. Across the league, several superstars have succumbed to battling injuries during the playoffs this year – many of which include Achilles tears and other lower-body problems, akin to Jayson Tatum’s ongoing and acute medical concerns, that can dramatically alter championship races.
