Celtics star Jayson Tatum provides optimistic update ahead of do-or-die Game 7

It was a disastrous Game 6 for the Boston Celtics, as the Philadelphia 76ers were dominating them in every way on Thursday night at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. And just when it didn't seem like it could get any worse, Celtics star Jayson Tatum exited the contest in the second half and headed over to his trainer, Nick Sang. While the Celtics went on to lose, 106-93, and must go back to Boston with the series tied 3-3, it doesn't sound like Tatum was seriously hurt.

The six-time All-Star recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes of play during the disappointing defeat and later explained that his absence to start the fourth quarter was largely because of the lopsided score, not his health, per Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog . "You guys probably saw when I went to the back, saw me on the (stationary) bike, my leg just was a little stiff when I came out (in the) third quarter," Tatum revealed postgame. "But just kind of assessing the moment, the game was a little out of reach, we took the starters out and let the bench guys go in.

" Almost one whole year ago, Tatum ruptured his right Achilles in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, sidelining him for the rest of the postseason and a majority of the 2025-26 regular season. Yet, Tatum's discomfort on Thursday was in his opposite leg and he even told reporters that he expects to play Saturday in Game 7, per Bobby Manning of Celtics CLNS . Although the Celtics led their first-round series 3-1 and had all the momentum, they now must reset and prepare for a winner-takes-all showdown with the rival 76ers at TD Garden.

The C's have never blown a 3-1 lead before in their long history and they'll need Tatum and the rest of the roster at their best to avoid disaster and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the fifth straight season. Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Blue Wire: https://tiny. ee/CdKp iTunes: https://tiny.