Heading into their game against the Orlando Magic on Monday night, the Boston Celtics were set to be fully healthy. That’s been a rarity this year, as Boston has dealt with various injuries throughout the year. However, just a few minutes before tip-off, that all changed.
Celtics PR announced that Tatum would be questionable to play due to a non-Covid illness, and at halftime, it was revealed that he would officially be out for the game. With Tatums sidelined, the Celtics weren’t able to get the job done vs. the short-handed Magic, as they ended up losing 108-104 in Orlando.
After the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla gave an update on what happened with Tatum before the game.
Joe Mazzulla provides Jayson Tatum update
He said that Tatum tried his best to play against the Magic but just couldn’t go.
“Right before we came out for the tip off,” Mazzulla said via Brian Robb of MassLive. “He did what he tried to do to do to try to play, just wasn’t able to.”
Based on Mazzulla’ update, it doesn’t sound like Tatum’s illness will be a longstanding issue. Considering he tried to play in Orlando, he’ll probably be good to go in the coming games.
Illnesses usually subside fairly quickly. At least, that has been the case for the few Celtics players who have dealt with them so far this season.
Tatum’s absence really hurt the Celtics against the Magic. Their regular three-point attack took a massive hit, as the drive-and-kick game that’s usually led by Tatum was far less potent.
Jaylen Brown stepped up and played a big role with Tatum out, especially in the passing game, but it wasn’t enough. Boston’s offense struggled for most of the night.
By the end the game, the Celtics had only attempted 33 three-pointers—by far their season low. Up to that point, the Celtics hadn’t attempted fewer than 40 in a game.
Without Tatum, they weren’t able to create the same level of offensive gravity he gives them, which is a big way they’re able to generate so many quality three-point looks.
Brown and the Celtics got off to a hot start in the first quarter, and they were up big at halftime, too. However, the Magic got hot in the third quarter, and the Celtics’ defense failed to match their intensity.
A late-game surge wasn’t enough to propel Boston back into the game, and it was clear that they missed Tatum.