While the injury shouldn't derail Tatum's career, it does give the Celtics a major obstacle to overcome. Boston has been to the conference finals five times and has had a pair of NBA Finals appearances—including a win last year—since 2017. Much of that success, especially over the past five or so years, has been largely due to Tatum.

Jayson Tatum's heart-wrenching conversation with his father, Justin, immediately after he went through his Achilles injury, was shared by an NBA insider.

Jayson Tatum shared his first message since suffering a season-ending injury, thanking fans for their support in an Instagram post from his hospital bed