Celtics' Tatum ruled out for decisive game seven against Sixers

TL;DR

Jayson Tatum has been ruled out for game seven against the Philadelphia 76ers due to left knee discomfort. This decision comes just before the game, impacting the Celtics' chances in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Key points

Jayson Tatum ruled out for game seven against the Sixers
Tatum has discomfort in his left knee
Celtics lost two straight games after leading the series 3-1
This is the 23rd playoff clash between Boston and Philadelphia
Boston has eliminated the Sixers three times in recent playoffs

Jayson TatumBoston CelticsPhiladelphia 76ersJoel Embiid

Jayson Tatum had exited late in the third quarter of the Celtics' game-six blowout loss to the Sixers but downplayed the issue after the game (Maddie Meyer) (Maddie Meyer/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP) Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was ruled out of game seven of the team's NBA playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday with an Eastern Conference semi-final berth on the line. Tatum was ruled out less than two hours before tip-off in the deciding game after being listed as "questionable" on an earlier injury report. Celtics coach Joe Mazulla told reporters at his pre-game press conference that Tatum had "discomfort" in his left knee that was bad enough to prompt the coach and team medical staff to rule Tatum out. Tatum had exited late in the third quarter of Thursday's game-six blowout loss to the Sixers but downplayed the issue after the game. Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in last year's playoffs and missed the first 62 games of this campaign before making his season debut on March 6. The second-seeded Celtics held a 3-1 lead in the series before dropping two straight against their old rivals. It is the 23rd playoff clash between Boston and Philadelphia. Boston has won the last six, knocking Sixers star Joel Embiid out of the playoffs three times -- in 2018, in 2020 and in 2023. bb/amz

Q&A

Why was Jayson Tatum ruled out for game seven against the Sixers?

Jayson Tatum was ruled out due to discomfort in his left knee, as confirmed by Celtics coach Joe Mazulla.

What is the significance of game seven for the Celtics and Sixers?

Game seven is crucial as it determines which team advances to the Eastern Conference semi-finals, with the Celtics previously leading the series 3-1.

How did Jayson Tatum's previous injury affect his current status?

Tatum previously ruptured his right Achilles tendon last year and missed the first 62 games of this season, which raises concerns about his current knee issue.