Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum sustained a left ankle sprain during the third quarter of the team’s 113-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The injury occurred when Tatum was fouled while attempting a contested three-pointer by Kings center Domantas Sabonis, who was assessed a flagrant 1 foul. As Tatum landed, his foot made contact with Sabonis’ foot, causing him to collapse to the floor in visible pain.
Coach Mazzulla Optimistic as Tatum Briefly Returns Before Exiting for Evaluation
Despite the alarming moment, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla expressed confidence that Tatum’s injury would not sideline him for long. “He seems to be doing OK,” Mazzulla said after the game, acknowledging that he had not seen the play but believed the officials made the correct call. Mazzulla emphasized that Tatum was receiving the necessary treatment and remained hopeful about his recovery.
Jayson Tatum (NBA)Before getting hurt, Tatum was leading the Celtics in scoring and finished with 25 points. After the injury, he was able to briefly return to the court to shoot free throws, making one of two attempts, which extended Boston’s lead to 79-68. However, he soon exited the game and headed to the locker room for further medical evaluation.
Tatum Downplays Injury but Celtics Remain Cautious About His Recovery Timeline
After the game, Tatum was seen limping but downplayed the severity of the injury. Speaking to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, he described his ankle as “just sore” and emphasized that the team would take a cautious approach to his recovery. His willingness to return to the court, even momentarily, suggested that the injury may not be severe.
While the full extent of Tatum’s injury remains unclear, Mazzulla reiterated his belief that the All-Star forward will do everything necessary to recover quickly. The Celtics will likely monitor Tatum’s condition closely before determining when he can return to play. For now, the team is hopeful that their leading scorer will not be sidelined for an extended period.
