5:25 PM: Tatum has officially been ruled out for Game 2, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Twitter).
3:14 PM: Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been listed as doubtful to play in Game 2 of the team’s first-round series vs. Orlando on Wednesday, as Jared Weiss of The Athletic tweets. Tatum’s injury designation is a right distal radius bone bruise.
The Celtics star injured his right wrist in the fourth quarter of Game 1 on Sunday when he drove to the basket and was met by Magic defenders Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr. The Orlando duo collided with the Celtics star and sent him to the floor and into the basket stanchion (Twitter video link via ESPN).
Tatum grabbed his right wrist and remained on the floor for some time. He was eventually able to get up and remain in the game, but he seemed to be favoring that wrist for the rest of the night. Following Boston’s victory, the six-time All-Star underwent an X-ray, which he said came back clean.
While Tatum initially expressed optimism about his availability going forward, Shams Charania of ESPN reported today during a SportsCenter appearance (Twitter video link) that the 27-year-old underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with a bone bruise. Charania referred to it as a “pain tolerance” injury that could linger, adding that Tatum’s availability for Game 2 is “up in the air.”
Head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters earlier on Tuesday that Tatum is considered day-to-day, per Souichi Terada of MassLive.com.
If Tatum is unable to play on Wednesday, the Celtics figure to lean more heavily on starters Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis for offense, with Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser among the reserves who could see more significant roles.
Welp I called it. Look who’s right this time Helen.
This could change the entire playoff landscape
Yeah, Boston might actually win without it’s #1 choker blowing the games for them!
Never forget, Brown is 100% the reason why they won the title last time. He is Him. Tatum is a fraud.
Maybe the only person in the world who feels this way. And Brown is not 100%. After Mazzula plays him 45 minutes a game, he will be limping off in pain soon.
Steve Kerr agrees with me, big dog! Tatum is a fraud til he wins a chip with no good players supporting him. Not the 2nd-deepest team in the league behind OKC.
Not a warriors thread. When did Steph win a title without good players? Kawhi says hold my drink bottle please. Was Steph a fraud when KD won back to back finals MVP’s?
probably the worst take I’ve seen on here.
People on here literally argue Draymond is a g-league talent, people on here argue and believe “Steph fell off” and the Warriors window is “officially closed”, quiet down! lol
First time I’m hearing Drey is a G league guy.
It’s simply called a Tuesday night for Davey J.
Just like KD.
“Tatum is a fraud til he wins a chip with no good players supporting him.” LOLOLOLOL
Tatum is not a fraud, him and Brown essentially had the same stats in the finals last season, stop
I don’t entirely agree with Davey J, you guys, but seriously: where would Jaylen Brown rank among the best today if he was the undisputed #1 option on the Celtics/any other team?? Holy crap!! Why did he get snubbed by Team USA again??
He was snubbed because he has beef with Nike.
Magic certainly on the dirty side
Just following the blueprint of BOS, right?
Usually a team wins the next game when their star is out but then it’s trouble.
Cross fingers.
Celtics have depth but losing Tatum means losing defensive boards, his drives, free throws, assists, blocks and man-to-man D as well as his points.
They don’t need Tatum for Magic. Get well Jason.
Sometimes the Celtics do play better as a team without their still somewhat ball dominant star. More touches for our best three point shooters. But Jason carries us most of the time so the sooner he’s back, and healthy, the better.
I still can’t believe Mazzulla called off the trainers to go check on him. That’s so weird.
The only thing I can think of is that coach didn’t want the other team to think he was hurting or perhaps injured.
That would then be a weak spot that the opposition could gain some confidence or momentum with?
Other than that yes very weird indeed.
Joe doesn’t like excuses. Injury, refs etc. Mazzulla is old school, walk it off. Also possibly a phycological thing. Now every person in the media will be talking about Browns knee and Tatum’s wrist. Nip that in the Bud straight up, most everybody is a little banged up. Imaging was clear, drink a cup of cement and Harden up, this is the playoffs.
Mazzula is weird AF.
This is to show Mazzula he was actually hurt.
Hurt and injured are two different things. Leave laying on the ground to the Brons, Steph’s, Brunsons and Shaes. Hurt, so. Get up.
Kerr is not calling off the trainers if something happens to Steph. Even something minor. That’s a weird deed that Mazzulla can claim himself.
And he does.