Jayson Tatum was forced to leave the Boston Celtics’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night due to a left ankle sprain he suffered in the third quarter. Despite the injury, Tatum remained optimistic about the severity of the sprain after the Celtics secured the win.
Tatum, who currently ranks sixth in the NBA in scoring, was leading the Celtics with 21 points when the injury occurred. After receiving a pass from Derrick White, Tatum attempted a 3-pointer and landed awkwardly on Kings center Domantas Sabonis’ foot, causing the ankle sprain.
Following the injury, Tatum was surrounded by trainers and teammates on the sideline. The officials reviewed the play and upgraded the penalty against Sabonis to a flagrant foul-1. Tatum managed to shoot two free throws before leaving the game with 25 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.
Despite Tatum’s absence, the Celtics went on to win the game 113-95, extending their winning streak to six games. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White stepped up to contribute to the victory.
After the game, Sabonis expressed regret for the incident and apologized for the injury caused to Tatum. Tatum, on the other hand, reassured reporters that his ankle was just sore and that the team would proceed with caution.
While losing Tatum to injury is never ideal, the Celtics are in a comfortable position in the Eastern Conference standings. Tatum’s eligibility for end-of-season awards is secure, and the team’s focus is on ensuring his full recovery for the postseason.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized Tatum’s determination to recover quickly and return to the court. Whether Tatum sits out a few games or returns swiftly, the Celtics are prepared to navigate the situation with their star player’s best interests in mind.