Al Horford Had This ‘Priority’ After Jayson Tatum Injury In Game 4 Loss

Al Horford and the Boston Celtics had a lot racing through their minds, but the veteran big man kept his priorities in check.

“The loss is the loss,” Horford told reporters after the Knicks defeated the Celtics 121-113 and took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, per CLNS Media. “More importantly, it’s Jayson that I’m worried about. Just making sure that I’m there for him. That’s my priority.”

Tatum suffered a devastating lower-body injury during the final minutes of Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t offer much insight besides stating Tatum will have an MRI on his lower leg on Tuesday.

The belief, however, is an Achilles tear that will sideline Tatum not only for the remainder of the Eastern Conference semifinals but potentially deep into the 2025-26 campaign.

“It’s very concerning, just from the care that I have for him,” Horford said. “What he means to us, and what he means to Boston. It’s just very tough for us, and more importantly, it’s just really tough for him right now. Let’s see what happens. Just very tough for our group all together.”

Horford acknowledged it will be an uphill battle for the Celtics, who now need to win each of their next three second-round games in order to continue in the postseason.

“We just have to rally together because obviously we’ve lost our leader and the guy that gets us going,” Horford said. “So we have to come together as a group.”

The Celtics, who almost certainly will be without their four-time All-NBA selection, will try to stave off elimination when they host the Knicks at TD Garden on Wednesday night.