Jayson Tatum had 17 points and injured his left knee in Boston’s 106-93 Game 6 loss in Philadelphia.
BOSTON (AP) — Celtics star Jayson Tatum was ruled out for Game 7 against Philadelphia on Saturday night with left knee stiffness.
The team announced the news about 90 minutes before the start of the winner-take-all first-round matchup. The 76ers won 109-100, advancing to challenge the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“He just came in today with knee discomfort. The medical team and myself decided for him not to play,” coach Joe Mazzulla said during his pregame meeting with reporters.
The Celtics started Ron Harper Jr. and Baylor Scheierman alongside Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Luka Garza.
Tatum briefly left Boston’s Game 6 loss in the third quarter for unspecified treatment to his calf. Tatum is just 22 games into his return from the torn right Achilles tendon injury he suffered in last season’s playoffs.
After Game 6, Tatum said that his leg was only feeling “a little stiff.” He said following a quick assessment and some time on the exercise bike he didn’t return because the game was out of hand and the starters had already been pulled.
Injury Report Update:
Jayson Tatum – Left Knee Stiffness – OUT https://t.co/mncFbkO6lQ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 2, 2026
