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Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum on Track to Play

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 20: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during game against the Miami Heat on December 20, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 20: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during game against the Miami Heat on December 20, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jayson Tatum is expecting to play on Tuesday for the Boston Celtics

Coming out of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers in London, there was a minor injury scare with Jayson Tatum. He was dealing with some discomfort in his knee, and there was some concern about his ability to be ready to play once they got back to action on Tuesday.

Hearing Tatum associated with any kind of injury, and especially anything related to the knee, is going to be troubling for anyone that is paying attention. When you take into account how cautious the Celtics are with every injury, hearing Tatum say he is expecting to play is all fans need right now.

The Celtics never want to see Tatum out of the lineup, but they also know there is no way he should be anywhere near a court if there is any additional risk of getting hurt. The Celtics will never take that risk, so it appears as the extra rest the Celtics asked for following the game in London is paying off.

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Who knows if Tatum would have been this ready if the Celtics did not get the additional days off, and any extra strain from playing sooner could only make things worse. It may not have been the difference, but the fact that Tatum is expecting to play is all the Celtics need to hear to be vindicated for asking for those days off.

There was probably some degree of regret, given how much the Celtics struggled with their cluttered schedule, but they are coming out of this in a great position and as healthy as they have been all season long, so things definitely worked out big picture wise.

The Celtics are on a seven game winning streak, and want to make sure they put as much distance between them and the Raptors and Cavaliers as they can while they are still fresh and at full strength.

Next: Jaylen Brown's Free Throw Woes

Tatum is continuing to grow as one of the most important players on this team, and taking him out of the lineup would have opened the window at least a bit more for those chasing the Celtics for top seed in the East.

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