Jayson Tatum misses first playoff game ever as Celtics still handle Magic
For the first time in his career, Jayson Tatum watched a playoff game from the sidelines. The Celtics star sat out Wednesday night’s Game 2 against Orlando with a bone bruise in his right wrist, ending his perfect attendance streak at 114 postseason games.
It didn’t matter. Boston still cruised to a 109-100 victory.
Tatum, who had been listed as doubtful before being officially ruled out an hour before tipoff, suffered the injury during Sunday’s Game 1 win when the Celtics dominated the Magic 103-86.
Jaylen Brown stepped up big time in his absence.
“He came in saying he was going to do everything it takes to win,” coach Joe Mazzulla said about Brown, who poured in 36 points and grabbed 10 rebounds just days after returning from his own injury.
The Celtics have actually been surprisingly good without their main guy. They went 8-2 without Tatum during the regular season, according to ESPN Research.
Tatum had been Boston’s heart and soul all year, leading the team in points, assists, and rebounds while playing in 72 regular season games. The 27-year-old Olympic gold medalist has been the cornerstone of the franchise since arriving eight seasons ago.
Despite trying to get ready, Tatum’s pregame workout wasn’t enough to convince the medical staff he was good to go.
“I know he’s doing everything he can to put himself in position to play,” Mazzulla explained. “He’ll be day to day.”
Al Horford, who started in Tatum’s place, suggested the Magic had been unnecessarily rough with Tatum in Game 1.
“Yeah, there was something extra,” the veteran said Tuesday. “There was a lot. It was the second or third time that — especially [Caldwell-Pope] — went at him in that way.”
With Boston now up 2-0 in the series, they might have the luxury of being cautious with their superstar as they continue their championship defense.
