Jayson Tatum came down hard on his right wrist after he was fouled (flagrantly) by Detroit Pistons veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a drive in Game 1. The Boston Celtics still won that game, and the next one too, despite Tatum being ruled out for Game 2 about a half an hour before tip off.
He was listed as doubtful for Game 3 on Thursday, which was a bad sign that the wrist bruise wasn't healing as quickly as the Celtics might have hoped after his late scratch prior to Game 2.
Jayson Tatum fell hard on his wrist after this play. The concern would be
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) April 20, 2025
-Wrist fracture (Needs to be ruled out with X-Ray
-Wrist sprain (ligament issue)
It is HIS shooting hand so this can be an issue moving forward pic.twitter.com/X7lLieoziG
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla discussed Tatum's injury during a radio interview with Boston station 98.5 The Sports Hub. The fact that he called the wrist bruise—which is to Tatum's shooting hand—"severe" was worrisome.
Jayson Tatum injury status for Game 3 revealed
In the end, Jayson Tatum tried his darnedest to get that wonky wrist ready for Game 3 in Orlando in Friday night, and he was able to get it done. The Celtics announced that Tatum would be available after a one game absence 30 minutes before tipoff at Kia Center.
Injury Report update:
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 25, 2025
Jaylen Brown - AVAILABLE
Jrue Holiday (right hamstring strain) - OUT
Jayson Tatum - AVAILABLE https://t.co/0od12AChEs
The fact that he was listed as doubtful a full day before the game—which was also the case ahead of Game 2—was not encouraging for his prospects of returning sooner rather than later.
However, he was upgraded to questionable a couple of hours before the game, and ultimately will give it a go on Friday night, though how limited he will be remains to be seen. It is his shooting hand after all.
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Jaylen Brown, who was huge in the Game 2 win, leading all scorers with 36 points, was a late addition to Boston's injury report on Friday, though he too will be available in Game 3. Jrue Holiday, who was also listed as questionable with a hamstring strain, has been ruled out, however.
The Magic, who must have thought there was a good chance to get back in this series with Tatum and Brown out, will now have to take on both All-Star players for Boston on Friday. Game 3 tips off in Orlando at 7PM E.T.
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