Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum ‘doubtful’ for Game 2 against Orlando Magic
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Jayson Tatum (right) drives the ball against Orlando Magic's Jonathan Isaac on April 20.
PHOTO: AFP
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BOSTON – Celtics star Jayson Tatum has been listed as “doubtful” for Game 2 of Boston’s National Basketball Association (NBA) first-round play-off series against the Orlando Magic with a bone bruise in his right wrist.
The forward was injured late in the team’s Game 1 victory on April 20, coming down hard under the basket after he was fouled in the air by Orlando guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Caldwell-Pope was called for a flagrant foul and Tatum remained on the court for several minutes, although he stayed in the game and said immediately after the contest that X-rays were negative.
However, Tatum’s participation in practice on April 22 was limited and coach Joe Mazzulla said that the player’s status was “day to day”.
The Celtics host Game 2 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series on April 23 (April 24, Singapore time).
“He was able to do some stuff,” Mazzulla said. “He was sore after the game. He’s gotten a little better today. He is going to go through some on-court work and go from there.”
Tatum led the Celtics in average points, rebounds and assists per game this season. He has played at least 39 minutes in each of the 114 post-season games the Celtics have played since he came into the league in 2017.
As he was on the court holding his wrist, television coverage of the game appeared to show Mazzulla yelling at him to get up, while holding back a member of the Celtics’ training staff.
Asked why, Mazzulla said “Love”.
“You love guys in different ways,” he explained. “But everything is built on love. Everything is built on the relationship that we have, their self-expression.
“They allow me to be who I am. And they trust (me) – we have a trust for each other. But it all starts with love.”
In other news, Boston’s sharpshooter Payton Pritchard was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year on April 22.
The guard received 454 total points in balloting, including 82 of 100 first-place votes from a global media panel.
The Detroit Pistons’ Malik Beasley was second on 279 points and 13 first-place votes. The third finalist, Ty Jerome of the Cleveland Cavaliers, had 91 points and two first-place nods.
Pritchard – in his fifth NBA season, all spent with the Celtics – averaged career highs of 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 80 games, coming off the bench in all but three. He was the defending NBA champions’ fourth leading scorer in the regular season.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said in a statement: “Payton is one of the most dedicated players I’ve ever been around. He truly loves the game and is committed to the work that goes into being great. In addition, he’s driven by winning and doing whatever it takes to help the team.
“Payton is a baller – and his teammates know what they are getting every single day in terms of effort, care and commitment. For him to be honoured with the award named after (Celtics) great John Havlicek is a credit to all that he brings to the table for our team.”
His 1,079 total points off the bench were the most of any reserve in the NBA this season. AFP, REUTERS
