The Boston Celtics got off to a strong start in their playoff journey by defeating the Orlando Magic 103-86 in their opening game. However, despite a promising victory, the game still raised a significant concern!
Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum took a hard fall after a physical foul from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the fourth quarter. He remained on the court for an extended period, visibly in discomfort and holding his right wrist, which is also his shooting hand.
What actually happened was that tension filled the atmosphere as Tatum aggressively attacked the basket, aiming for a dunk. Despite tight coverage from Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter, he managed to score but fell hard to the floor. His teammates immediately showed concern and rushed to his aid.
Meanwhile, the referee called a foul on the play. Despite his injury, Jayson Tatum returned to the game to take the awarded free throws, but unfortunately, he missed both shots. He then came back to the court a few moments later with his right wrist heavily wrapped.
Wrist X-Ray Comes Clean, Jayson Tatum Doing All Right
Addressing the media after the game, Tatum confirmed that he had undergone an X-ray. He stated, “It’s all right.”
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Talking about his wrist in his postgame availability, Jayson Tatum said,“I just fell on it, landed on it.” He cleared that it did rob him for a second, however, it kind of went away over time.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla also conveyed a sense of confirmation, assuring the media that Tatum is doing well despite the hard fall. He also confirmed the imaging results were negative, indicating no fracture or serious damage.
It is noteworthy that the Celtics will be very conscious and careful about Tatum’s improvement, considering the huge blow to his shooting hand, leading up to the next game.
Despite struggling in game 1, the star forward scored 17 points on 8 of 22 attempts and went just 1 for 8 on three-point attempts, proving his significant influence within the team. He also scored a team-high 14 rebounds and 4 assists, showcasing his value for the Celtics.
Holding the series by 1-0, the Boston Celtics are highly expecting that they will have their crucial strong forward player Tatum in game 2 this Wednesday at TD Garden. For the time being, Tatum is anticipated to play, but his injury status remains a key storyline leading up to the game.
