“Jayson Tatum’s Gritty Game 4 Performance: Celtics Star Shines Despite Leg Injury”
Despite having a leg injury, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics played well in Game 4.
Bontemps, Tim
NEW YORK — Late in the fourth quarter of Boston’s 121-113 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday, Celtics star Jayson Tatum was helped off the court without bearing any weight on his right leg.
Tatum’s leg gave out as he lunged towards the lost ball after the Celtics had just handed it over, and he fell to the ground. Following the noncontact injury, he grasped at his leg above the ankle and covered his face with a towel in evident discomfort.
The All-Star forward will get an MRI on Tuesday, according to Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, who was unsure of the severity of the injury.
“It goes without saying that you are constantly worried about someone’s health. Thus, it’s dual,” Mazzulla stated. “We’re concerned about his health, where he’s at, and we’re concerned about what we have to do better for Game 5 when we get back to Boston.”
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Before the injury, which happened with 2:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tatum was playing brilliantly, going 16-for-28 on 16-point shooting to score 42 points, his most in these playoffs.After exiting the court, he buried his face in his hands and was wheeled down a tunnel.
Tatum missed Game 2 of the Celtics’ first-round series against the
After exiting the court, he buried his face in his hands and was wheeled down a tunnel.
Due to a bone bruise in his right wrist, Tatum missed Game 2 of the Celtics’ first-round series against the Orlando Magic earlier this playoffs. This was the first time in his career that he has missed a playoff game. Since then, he has been playing while wearing a black wrap around his wrist for protection.
Tatum, a 27-year-old veteran of eight years, guided the Celtics to their 18th NBA championship last year, earning him his first NBA crown.
Boston led New York by 14 points Monday night before the Knicks rallied in the second half to put them within one victory of making it to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. Boston had led New York by more than 20 points in Games 1 and 2.
Boston will host the return of the series on Wednesday night. Since Denver did it twice in 2020 at the Walt Disney World resort, no team has recovered from a 3-1 deficit. Cleveland’s comeback victory against Golden State in the 2016 NBA Finals was the last time a team had to win a real road game.
Mazzulla stated, “They’ll be ready,” referring to his group. “I mean, they are simply like that. That’s how it has been. The locker room is where
Mazzulla stated, “They’ll be ready,” referring to his group. “I mean, they are simply like that. That’s how it has been. They have a locker room, and they will be prepared. In situations like this, you take it one game at a time and have faith in the guys’ character.”
This report contains information from The Associated Press.