Soon, the New York Knicks will know their second-round opponent. On Saturday night, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics are battling it out for Game 7.
If the Sixers pull off the 1-3 comeback, the Knicks will host Philadelphia next week. If the Celtics take care of business, they’ll host the Knicks for the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals round.
Leading up to Saturday’s Game 7 action, the Celtics landed bad news. The star forward, Jayson Tatum, was ruled out just hours before the game. His recent lower-body setback (calf tightness) started during the Celtics’ Game 6 battle on the road against the Sixers.
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
After 28 minutes of action, Tatum left for the locker room. Considering the state of the score, the Celtics held out Tatum for the remainder of the game. He finished the night with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Following the Boston loss, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla claimed that Tatum was not dealing with an injury. The star forward addressed that there was a minor setback involved, but his absence was due to the score—not his setback keeping him out.
On Friday, ahead of Game 7, Joe Mazzulla claimed that Tatum would play against the Sixers on Saturday. The initial injury report did not include the star forward. However, the Celtics downgraded Tatum on Saturday afternoon. He was questionable due to left knee stiffness. It wouldn’t be much longer before the Celtics ruled Tatum out.
Suddenly, the star forward’s setback might be something the Knicks will have to monitor very soon.
Joe Mazzulla’s Message The Knicks Need To Hear
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
When the Celtics’ head coach was asked about Tatum’s presence on the injury report on Saturday, Mazzulla told reporters that Tatum came in with “knee discomfort,” according to Noa Dalzell.
“Back-of-the-knee stiffness. Day-to-day,” he added.
A loss on Saturday would end the Celtics’ season, giving Tatum plenty of time to recover after making a speedy recovery from an Achilles injury, which he suffered against the Knicks in round two last year.
With a victory, the Celtics would enter the second-round series with some concerns around Tatum.
If the Knicks land the Celtics, Tatum could end up being questionable for Game 1, which will take place on Monday, May 4, no matter the opponent.