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 in the series before losing two straight games as Philadelphia 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 wasn’t in the leg in which he suffered his 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 per contest on .475/.365/.781 shooting splits. The Celtics 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 do-or-die contest.
Yikes
Celtics were a top two team in the East without him, they should win, but D White has to step up
They should have won the last two with him but Joel got in the way.
Ruh roh
This ain’t good for Boston
How to completely blow a 3-1 lead.
JT will never be a franchise player trade him for Giannis asap
Lol
You should go get an MRI
@ Sebch… no thanks. Giannis just played 36 games, may or may not be injured or at least declining. Only one team can win every year. Boston are nowhere near done.
I also remember Tatum giving Giannis near 50 in a close out game.
One of the most surprising Celtics’ seasons in recent memory. I think over achieving during regular season may have finally caught up with them because this should’ve been a series that never went past 5 games. If they don’t lose to many of their top 8 players to free agency, injury and retirement, they should be contenders for more seasons. But I also think they are closer to end with Tatum and Brown than the beginning kind of like the year Bird and McHale lost to Pistons before never having shot at Finals again.
You mean after bird hurt his back and never played a full season again? Lmao he was already in his 30s.
The Celtics are still young.
I disagree I don’t think they’re near the end of being contenders but Brad Steven’s definitely made the wrong move by signing Derrick White to a 4 year 120 million dollar contract. Now they might have to trade JB because D-White trade value is not as high as it was a few years ago
D White’s VORP the last 3 seasons:
3.5 in 73 games
3.6 in 76 games
3.5 in 77 games
He’s literally elite. Any team would love to have him at that money. YDKB
He came back too early now he’s likely out next year too, just like I said would happen if he came back too early
He won’t be out next year lmao
They’re already saying it’s lower leg/knee, he’s either re-torn it or has torn his knee up overcompensating in his recovery.
Tatum should have never played 1 minute this season.
Retorn what? It’s stiffness in his left knee.
He tore his RIGHT Achilles.
Had they not shot 25 bad 3 point shots and won this game Tatum would have played before game 3 in the next series.
Yes, he was favoring his leg and injured the other one. But also he might have re-torn the original on top of that.
If he retore his Achilles he wouldn’t have been walking around without crutches or in a wheelchair.
Why did Luka Garza (-15 in 9 mins) and Ron Harper Jr (-7 in 4 mins) start that game? They lost the game right then and there.
That’s what I said too dude. Garza ruined the first quarter. It supposedly had something to do with Qaetas play against Embiid and some discipline? Idk.
AD for Derrick white solves problems for both teams. Wizards can then take Caleb Wilson with their pick.
Trae, Tre, George, Caleb, Sarr. Bilal 6th man.
AD will never be a Celtic.
It’s been a fun year with no expectations; I didn’t hate any of it.
Celtics have nobody to blame but themselves. They took at least 20 bad 3 point shots.
Ugly basketball. Just chucking up shots
Pathetic ending
What award did Stevens win again?
For dumping players and cutting salary? Making a dumb trade at the deadline? Drafting their only young player Hugo. Needed a PF starter but keep getting SF’s? Shame
That’s a great success for BOS, a great season getting out in round 1 of the eastern conference, an incredible season just like PHX & ATL!!!
Why is he always in the way messing everybody chemistry up. He takes away too much from his team too hard to play with.
Who
Boston makes you soft.
How do you sit game #7???
Wow