Heading into Game 7 between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum was expected to play without any setbacks.
A change on the injury report will add a wrinkle to the matchup. The Celtics officially announced that Tatum has been downgraded. He is questionable due to left knee stiffness.
*UPDATE: Jayson Tatum has officially been ruled out for the Boston Celtics in Game 7 against the 76ers.
When the Celtics paid a visit to the Sixers on Thursday night for Game 6, Tatum was seen going back to the locker room. He was reportedly dealing with discomfort in his calf. And considering the state of the score, the Celtics wisely held him out.
Jayson Tatum Addresses The Setback
“I wasn’t overly concerned,” Jayson Tatum told reporters. “It’s not like that big of a deal. You guys probably saw when I went to the back, saw me on the bike — my leg just was a little stiff when I came out in the third quarter.”
After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters that Tatum was not dealing with an injury. He doubled down during a conference call with the media on Friday, stating that Tatum would play.
Mazzulla is clearly approaching Game 7 with the idea that Tatum will be cleared for action. The medical staff could end up holding out the star forward.
Before Tatum left Game 6, he checked in for 28 minutes. During that time, the star forward shot 46.2% from the field and hit on 2-6 shots from three. Tatum produced 17 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists before checking out.
The Sixers defeated the Celtics 106-93.
Throughout the series, Tatum has posted averages of 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, while shooting 47.5% from the field.
In order to have the best chances of avoiding a 3-1 collapse against a Sixers team that is heating up at the right moment, the Celtics will need all hands on deck. Unfortunately for Boston, Tatum’s status is up in the air as of Saturday afternoon.