Celtics Rule Jayson Tatum Out of Game 7 Against 76ers Due to Knee Stiffness
Coach Joe Mazzulla confirms the decision shortly before tip-off, noting Tatum was originally listed as questionable six hours prior despite earlier reports of health
The Boston Celtics have confirmed that superstar Jayson Tatum will not participate in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers. The ruling, issued by head coach Joe Mazzulla just under two hours before the scheduled tip-off, cites left knee stiffness as the primary factor. During a pregame media availability, Mazzulla stated that Tatum reported discomfort behind his knee and that the coaching and medical staffs jointly decided he would not play.
This development marks a significant shift in status for the Celtics' leading scorer, who was originally listed as questionable six hours prior to the match. Earlier reports from the team indicated that Tatum had no issues following his performance in Game 6, creating a discrepancy between the initial assessment and the final decision. The coaching staff declined to name a replacement starter for the game, leaving the specific lineup adjustments to be determined as the contest approaches.
The medical assessment follows Tatum's exit from Game 6, where he left the court with 4:03 remaining in the third quarter after the Celtics trailed by more than 20 points. Although he returned to the bench early in the fourth quarter, he did not re-enter the contest. Both Mazzulla and Tatum subsequently downplayed the severity of the issue immediately after the loss, describing it as minor stiffness that required only stretching, before the condition escalated to a confirmed absence for the series decider.
The matchup carries substantial historical weight, marking the 23rd time the two franchises have met in a playoff series, the most frequent rivalry in NBA history. Boston has won six consecutive playoff series against Philadelphia since 1982, while the Celtics have been particularly effective against 76ers centre Joel Embiid, having knocked him out of the postseason three times in recent years. The series currently stands at a critical juncture, with Boston having held a 3-1 lead before Philadelphia won the subsequent two games.
Tatum's absence comes one year after he suffered a torn Achilles in his right leg, an injury he returned from in March. While the specific nature of the current stiffness remains unquantified beyond the reported discomfort, the team has historically been cautious in detailing the severity of such issues. The duration of Tatum's absence beyond this single game remains unknown as the medical staff continues to evaluate the player's condition.
