Celtics Indecisive On Jayson Tatum Returning For Matchup Vs. Clippers

With an incredible offensive performance against the Kings on Wednesday,

Jayson Tatum was benched as the Celtics defeated them,

bringing their 21-6 record—still the best in the Eastern Conference—back into the victory column.

Tatum has been given the all-clear to play in Saturday night’s matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers,

but he is being careful due to a minor ankle issue.

Tatum participated fully in the light team session on Friday.

the Celtics will wait it out and decide in the early hours before tip-off,

going away without a yes or no.

Tatum’s durability was by no means a concern prior to sustaining

the ankle injury at 7:55 in the first quarter of

Boston’s loss to the Warriors in Golden State.

Despite visiting the locker room on Tuesday night,

the 25-year-old did not miss a game and proceeded to play the final three quarters of the game along with overtime.

Tatum admitted in retrospect that the consequences of a sprained ankle were noticeable.

Losing Tatum, Boston found success in Sacramento while looking for a winning combination.

At the beginning of the third quarter, the offence toyed with the Kings,

and Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla chose to sit back and watch as his team drained a season-high 22 3-pointers, shooting 52.4%.

It is obviously absurd to expect it to be the norm in those particular circumstances.

However, that doesn’t mean Boston’s depth—Al Horford pitching off the bench,

Derrick White emerging as an All-Star,

and Kristaps Porzingis dominating on both sides—

can’t weather the storm of another Tatum absence if needed.

The Clippers, who are ranked fifth in the Western Conference with an 11-3 record,

have similarly done a good job of defending their home court to the Celtics.

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