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Tatum, who scored a game-high 25 points and added seven rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes, came down on the foot of the Kings’ Domantas Sabonis after a 3-point attempt with 3:35 left in the third quarter.
Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (AP)
Celtics six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum sustained a left ankle sprain in the third quarter and did not return to Boston’s 113-95 road win over the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
Tatum, who scored a game-high 25 points and added seven rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes, came down on the foot of the Kings’ Domantas Sabonis after a 3-point attempt with 3:35 left in the third quarter.
After several minutes on the floor, Tatum was able to take the two free throws — making one — before being replaced. The Celtics (53-19) led 79-68 at the time. Sabonis was assessed a flagrant foul for having run under a 3-point shooter.
Kristaps Porzingis had 16 points and seven rebounds after missing Sunday’s win in Portland, Payton Pritchard scored 20 points and Derrick White added 12 points and eight assists for the Celtics.
Sabonis made an earlier-than-expected return from an ankle injury and had 16 points and 17 rebounds. DeMar DeRozan added 20 points and 10 assists.
The injury to Tatum cast a dark cloud over what was otherwise a fairly easy win.
“He seems to be doing OK, he’s just icing it right now,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame.
“I didn’t see the play. They made the right call, it was a flagrant foul. Fortunately he was able to shoot the free throw and (he’s) just taking care of it right now.
“I know he’ll do anything and everything to make sure he gets better.”
Through 66 games this season, Tatum leads the Celtics in scoring (27.1 points per game), rebounding (8.7) and assists (6.0).
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)