Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered a left ankle sprain during Monday’s 113-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings, causing concern among fans and teammates as the playoffs approach. The six-time All-Star left the game late in the third quarter after landing awkwardly on Domantas Sabonis’ foot, which resulted in a Flagrant 1 foul. Despite the scare, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla remains optimistic about Tatum’s recovery.
Tatum was leading the team in scoring when the incident occurred. He attempted a contested 3-pointer with Sabonis defending him. As Tatum landed, his right foot came down on Sabonis’ foot, causing him to crumple to the floor in visible pain. He stayed down for several moments while being examined by the Celtics’ medical staff before eventually getting up to shoot his free throws. Tatum made one of two free throws, increasing Boston’s lead to 79-68 before heading to the locker room. Though he limped gingerly afterward, he was not wearing a boot and was reportedly “doing OK” while icing the ankle.
“I just asked him how he was doing, and he said, ‘OK,'” Mazzulla shared with reporters after the game. “He’ll do anything and everything to make sure he gets better.” While Tatum was not made available for postgame interviews, his determination to return at full strength remains evident.
Durable but Vulnerable: The Importance of Caution with Tatum’s Injury
Tatum has been one of the NBA’s most durable players this season, missing only six games thus far. In fact, he has never missed more than eight games in a single season. However, freak accidents like this one serve as a stark reminder of how quickly a team’s playoff hopes can hang in the balance. The Celtics have secured a solid spot as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, giving them room to be cautious with Tatum as the postseason nears.
The foul called on Sabonis was flagged under a rule established after Kawhi Leonard’s infamous 2017 injury when Zaza Pachulia stepped under him during a shot attempt. NBA rules now treat stepping into a shooter’s landing zone as a Flagrant 1 foul, prioritizing player safety. Fortunately for the Celtics, this latest setback seems manageable, with early signs indicating that Tatum may avoid an extended absence.
With only ten games remaining before the playoffs, Boston can afford to take its time ensuring Tatum is fully healthy. A lower ankle sprain typically takes a few weeks to heal, while a high-ankle sprain could require more time. The severity remains unknown, but Tatum’s quick recovery is crucial for the Celtics’ championship aspirations.
As Boston continues to monitor the situation, fans and teammates alike will hope that Jayson Tatum’s ankle sprain is a minor setback — one that won’t linger into the postseason when the Celtics need their star the most.
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