On Saturday, the Boston Celtics had their season come to an end when they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers by a score of 109-100 in Game 7.
The Celtics blew a 3-1 lead in the series.
That said, they were without Jayson Tatum for Game 7, as he was scratched just hours before tip-off.
ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote before the game: “Boston’s Jayson Tatum is OUT for Game 7 tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers with a left leg injury.”
Tatum Makes Honest Statement
GettyJayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first half of Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
On Sunday, Tatum met with the media.
He made an honest statement following the injury that led to him missing Game 7.
Tatum (h/t Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog): “Experienced some tightness back there. It was just unfortunate timing… It was just kind of tough because rehab was just going so well the entire time. I guess it was inevitable at some point that I was gonna have to deal with something, and it just kind of came at the worst possible time.”
“It was just kind of tough because rehab was just going so well the entire time. I guess it was inevitable at some point that I was gonna have to deal with was something, and it just kind of came at the worst possible time.”
Tatum had missed most of the year, but miraculously returned in March.
He finished the 2025-26 regular season with averages of 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 41.1% from the field and 32.9% from three-point range in 16 games.
GettyTyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket while guarded by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics in 4th first quarter of a game at TD Garden on April 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Through the first six games of the series, Tatum had been averaging 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 47.5% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range.
Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe wrote: “Tatum again said his left knee was stiff, it was a day-to-day injury and he was still in rehabilitation mode. Said he would have been able to play in the next series but was shut down for Game 7.”
“It was inevitable I was gonna have to deal with something, and just just kind of
Looking Ahead For Boston
GettyJayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics hugs head coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Celtics had very low expectations heading into the year, but they were still able to finish as the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 56-26 record.
After winning the title in 2024, they have gone backwards, losing in the second round (and now the first round).
That said, Tatum having a long offseason to recover will likely give the Celtics contender status for the 2026-27 season.
Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Makes Honest Statement After Missing Game 7