Key Points Summary – NBA Playoffs Chaos
- Jayson Tatum suffers a severe wrist bone bruise and is ruled out for Game 3 against the Magic.
- Celtics are now facing the playoffs without their MVP-caliber leader, raising questions about their title chances.
- Ja Morant goes down hard with a hip injury during a dominant Grizzlies lead, which collapses completely after his exit.
- Grizzlies blow a 29-point lead to the Thunder, falling behind 3-0 in the series after Morant is ruled out.
- With two superstars down, the NBA Playoffs take a shocking turn just one round in.
The 2025 NBA Playoffs were off to a thrilling start—until the unthinkable happened. In the span of just days, two of the league’s biggest stars were sidelined with painful injuries, putting their teams in serious trouble and turning the playoff race upside down.
Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics’ powerhouse and defending champion, is now battling a severe wrist bruise that has him ruled out of Game 3. Meanwhile, Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies’ explosive leader, suffered a brutal hip contusion mid-game, which not only took him out—but led to one of the biggest collapses in playoff history.
Let’s break it down.
Tatum’s Injury Shakes Boston – Celtics Superstar Out for Game 3
Jayson Tatum is the heart of the Boston Celtics. He leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. He’s a six-time All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and the man who helped deliver last season’s NBA title.
Now, he’s out.
After taking a hard fall in Game 1, Tatum suffered a bone bruise in his right wrist. He tried everything to be ready for Game 2, even going through all the team’s medical protocols. But in the end, the Celtics made the tough call: he had to sit.
“He’s dealing with a severe bone bruise,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub. “He’s day to day. He did everything he could to play.”
Game 2 marked the first playoff game Tatum has missed in his entire career. He had played in 114 straight postseason matchups since being drafted in 2017.
The Celtics still pulled off the win in Game 2, leading the series 2-0. But now, with Game 3 in Orlando and Tatum’s status uncertain for the rest of the series, Boston’s title defense looks a lot shakier.
“We trust him. He’s a warrior,” Mazzulla said. “But we have to be smart. He’ll play when he’s ready.”
Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6 assists in the regular season—numbers that will be almost impossible to replace.
Celtics Without Tatum – Can They Survive?
The Celtics go into Game 3 this Friday without their best player. Game 4 is set for Sunday in Orlando. Game 5, if necessary, returns to Boston on Tuesday.
Without Tatum, the pressure falls on Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White to keep the momentum alive. They showed resilience in Game 2, but playoff series are long—and now, the Magic smell blood.
If the injury lingers longer than expected, the Celtics’ dream of back-to-back championships might just slip away.
Morant Down – Grizzlies Collapse After Star’s Injury
Meanwhile, over in the Western Conference, a different kind of disaster was unfolding.
The Memphis Grizzlies were absolutely destroying the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3, leading by 29 points and looking like they were on their way to a series-saving win.
Then Ja Morant went down—and everything changed.
Morant took a nasty fall under the basket after colliding with Thunder guard Luguentz Dort. The incident came with just over three minutes left in the first half. Morant was airborne when Dort—off-balance himself—fell into him. The result was ugly: Morant hit the floor hard and stayed down.
The play was reviewed for a flagrant foul, but ultimately ruled a common foul.
Morant Tries to Continue – But Can’t
True to his fearless nature, Morant limped back onto the court to shoot free throws. He missed both. The ball bounced out of bounds. And Morant, grimacing in pain, removed his jersey and was helped off the floor.
He was officially ruled out at halftime with a left hip contusion.
At that point, Morant had 15 points and 5 assists. The Grizzlies had dominated every part of the game.
Then the wheels came off.
Thunder Complete Epic Comeback – Memphis Crumbles Without Morant
With Morant gone, the Thunder pounced. They roared back in the second half with a 34-point scoring run, ultimately pulling off a stunning 114-108 win.
Memphis—who had a 29-point cushion—fell apart without their leader. The offense became stagnant. The defense disappeared. And OKC took full advantage.
Now, the Grizzlies trail 3-0 in the series and face elimination in Game 4.
NBA Playoffs Chaos: The Fallout – Two Superstars Out, Two Franchises on Edge
The NBA Playoffs are known for drama, but this is a twist no one saw coming:
- The defending champs might be without their MVP.
- One of the league’s most electrifying players might be done for the season.
- And two championship hopefuls are suddenly in panic mode.
What’s Next?
For the Celtics:
- Game 3 vs. Orlando – Friday in Florida
- Game 4 – Sunday
- Game 5 (if needed) – Tuesday in Boston
- Status: Leading series 2-0, but missing their star
For the Grizzlies:
- Game 4 vs. Thunder – Saturday
- Status: Trailing 3-0, one loss from elimination
The entire playoff landscape could change depending on what happens next. Will Tatum return? Can Memphis survive without Morant? And will these injuries open the door for a surprise contender to rise?
One thing’s for sure—this year’s postseason just got a whole lot more unpredictable.
NBA Playoffs Superstar Injuries Shake Everything
The 2025 NBA Playoffs were already intense—but now, with Jayson Tatum and Ja Morant sidelined, they’ve entered pure chaos mode.
The Celtics are trying to survive without their biggest star. The Grizzlies just watched a 29-point lead melt away without theirs.
This isn’t just bad luck—it’s a major playoff shift. And it’s only Round 1.
Buckle up. The drama’s just getting started.
