Jayson Tatum has been ruled out for the Celtics‘ Game 7 matchup against the Sixers on Saturday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (Twitter link).
The news comes as a huge blow to Boston, which took a 3-1 series lead over Philadelphia before losing two straight games as the Sixers forced the pivotal Game 7.
Tatum had previously been downgraded to questionable due to knee stiffness after sitting out the final 16 minutes of the Game 6 loss. He previously noted that the pain was in the other leg than the one that suffered the Achilles tear, and said it wasn’t a big deal. However, the team decided otherwise on Saturday.
“He just came in today with knee discomfort,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said, per MassLive’s Brian Robb (via Twitter). “The medical team and myself decided for him not to play.”
Through six games, Tatum has averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.8 assists on .475/.365/.781 shooting splits. The Celtics have had plenty of success playing without their star wing this season, and will have to put all of that experience to the test in Saturday’s matchup.
Yikes
Celtics were a top two team in the East without him, they should win, but D White has to step up
Ruh roh