Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Shockingly Downgraded for Game 2 Matchup vs Magic

Boston Celtics superstar forward Jayson Tatum could miss Game 2 of the first-round series against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

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The Celtics stated that Tatum is ruled as doubtful.

ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news via X.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla shared on Tuesday that Tatum is currently listed as day-to-day with a right wrist injury.

If Tatum is unable to go for Wednesday's match, they could turn to Sam Hauser or Al Horford to jump into Boston's starting lineup.

Tatum took a hard fall in the fourth quarter of Game 1 while attacking the basket and stayed down for a few moments before eventually continuing. Throughout the rest of the game, he was seen noticeably favoring his wrist.

Mazzulla mentioned that Tatum experienced some soreness following the contest. What raised a few eyebrows was Tatum's absence from the court after Tuesday's practice—something out of the ordinary, as he's usually spotted putting up shots as part of his routine.

Sunday's performance wasn't Tatum's sharpest. Despite the Celtics pulling off the win, he struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with 17 points on 8-of-22 shooting, along with 14 rebounds, four assists, and a block in 40 minutes.

After sustaining the injury, Tatum remained in the game but was clearly uncomfortable, wincing and clutching at his wrist. He later returned to the floor with his wrist heavily wrapped following a timeout. Postgame, he made his way to the locker room, still showing signs of pain.

Even if Tatum isn't operating at full strength, Boston has the depth and talent to close out this first-round series. But if the Celtics hope to make a serious championship run, having their franchise star at or near 100 percent will be essential.

The encouraging news for Boston is that Tatum's wrist issue doesn't seem to be anything too serious.

The Celtics will be back on their home floor Wednesday night for Game 2 against the Magic. They aim to take a 2-0 series lead before the matchup shifts to Central Florida for Games 3 and 4. They'll look to handle business early and maintain control as the series heads on the road.

The faster they end this series against the No. 7 seed Magic, the better Tatum's recovery between series will be.

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