Brad Stevens weighs whether Jayson Tatum minutes impacted Game 7 absence
Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations discussed the health of star forward Jayson Tatum and his absence in Game 7 of the first round.
BOSTON — In Game 6 of the Boston Celtics' first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers , star forward Jayson Tatum logged his second-most minutes of the season for the Green Team. The six-time All-Star — who is still less than a year removed from rupturing his right Achilles — was unable to finish that 113-97 loss for the Celtics because the game was out of hand and, most notably, due to tightness that popped up in his left knee. That discomfort persisted for Tatum, so much so that Boston's franchise cornerstone couldn't suit up for Game 7 on Saturday night.
The Celtics then dropped that must-win contest, 106-93, and were left with a season-ending defeat and their earliest exit from the postseason since 2021. Jayson Tatum on his “day-to-day” status: “I know for a fact I would’ve been able to play if we made it to the second round. ” pic.
twitter. com/HQz0rLs3mn — Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) May 3, 2026 Since the summer started early for the Celtics, Tatum will have a fair amount of time to heal up and deal with the stiffness he experienced behind his left knee. But how exactly did that pain manifest?
Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens considered that question when asked about Tatum's increased workload in the playoffs, which featured two games with over 40 minutes played and an average of 36. 3 minutes through six outings. "Do we think that had an impact on his knee stiffness and the injury in Game 6?