While Jayson Tatum should do everything he can be on the field for match 3 against Orlando, there is no guarantee that the Celtics superstar is back in the mixture.
Tatum missed the victory of Boston match 2 with a wrist injury he suffered in the Victory 1 of the Celtics. Even with Boston holding the head of the 2-0 series on magic, Boston would like the candidate of the sustainable MVP on the ground.
It seems that it is not a guarantee for match 3, at least not according to head coach Joe Mazzulla, who gave an update Thursday during an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
“There is definitely a chance (Tatum plays), but he is dealing with a severe bump bump,” said Mazzulla in his weekly interview “Zolak and Bertrand” on The Sports Hub.
Throwing a word as “severe” is notable, and it is in accordance with previous reports this week. The Shams of ESPN Charania reported that Tatum’s ability to play would likely be limited to pain tolerance. Masslive had a similar report Thursday, noting that the injury could take weeks to heal completely.
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Regarding bone bruises, the Cleveland Clinic says “more serious bruises can take months (or more) to be healed completely”.
When asked if it was the kind of injury that could improve even if Tatum played, Mazzulla postponed the medical staff. However, he again noted that Tatum had done everything he could to be ready for match 2, but it was not enough.
“He is daily and he has gradually improved every day, and yesterday he crossed all the protocols and did everything he could do until the last moment to try to be able to play, but he simply couldn’t do it,” said Mazzulla.
Progress is essential, but wraps of the wrist are limiting, especially when it is on the shooting wrist like Tatum.
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“In the end, he does everything he can every 24-hour minute to put him in a position to try to be there on the field,” added Mazzulla. “I trust his process, I trust his state of mind, I trust the people around him to help put him in position, and that’s all we can do.”
