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Jayson Tatum (l) exited Game 6 vs. the Philadelphia 76ers. Here’s the latest.

Jayson Tatum was forced out of Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday night with what appeared to be an ankle or calf injury, leaving the Boston Celtics down a man at the worst possible moment.

Boston was already trailing by double figures when Tatum headed to the locker room in the third quarter — a development that immediately darkened the Celtics’ already slim chances of clawing back into the game.

“Jayson Tatum checked out with four minutes left in the third quarter,” reported Athletic correspondent Jay King. “Not normal for him to still be on the bench to start the fourth.”

“Jayson Tatum went back to the Celtics locker room with some discomfort in his left calf late in the 3rd quarter,” added ClutchPoints writer Tomer Azarly. “He has since returned to the Boston bench with an ice pack on the calf.”

The Celtics had not issued a clarification of Tatum’s injury by midway through the fourth quarter.

“Not sure what they’ve said about Jayson Tatum’s calf on the broadcast, but all I saw was that he headed to the locker room with (Celtics trainer) Nick Sang a little while ago,” wrote Celtics Blog reporter Noa Dalzell wit about seven minutes remaining in the game. “I don’t think Tatum is on the bench right now.”

Jayson Tatum Exits Game 3 With Ankle or Calf Injury

The star forward left the floor after appearing to deal with discomfort in his lower leg, according to Boston Herald reporter Brendan Connelly, who reported Tatum was continuing to deal with what looked like an ankle or calf problem. Shortly after, multiple courtside observers confirmed Tatum had gone directly to the locker room.

Tatum emerged from the locker room several minutes later and was reportedly available to return to the game. But with the Celtics down 88-68 in the fourth quarter, Tatum remained on the bench.

Tatum entered the game averaging 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 16 appearances this season, shooting 41.1 percent from the field. His career averages across 601 games stand at 23.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest.

CLNS Media Celtics reporter Bobby Manning reported seeing Tatum riding a stationary bike behind the Celtics bench during the fourth quarter.

This is not a player Boston can absorb losing, not in the middle of a playoff game, and not with a series on the line.

Boston Celtics’ Deficit Deepens Without Tatum on the Floor

Tatum left the game with 17 points in 29 with 11 rebounds and three assists.

The Celtics were already in a deep hole before Tatum’s departure. Losing the five-time All-NBA forward mid-game stripped Boston of its primary offensive engine and defensive anchor simultaneously — a dual wound no team can shrug off in a playoff environment.

Tatum has been Boston’s constant in the postseason for years. Drafted third overall in 2017 out of Duke, the St. Louis native has made every All-Star roster since 2020 and earned All-NBA First Team recognition three times. He is, by any reasonable measure, the franchise.

Without him, the Celtics’ path back into Game 3 narrowed considerably. The deficit stood in double figures when he went down, and Philadelphia showed no sign of easing up.

Jayson Tatum’s Status and What It Means for the Boston Celtics Going Forward

The immediate concern is not just Game 6 or even Game 7. It is what happens next. Ankle and calf injuries in playoff basketball carry compounding risk. A player who exits mid-game and goes directly to the locker room is not dealing with a minor tweak. The severity will not be known until Boston’s medical staff can evaluate him fully.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla will face a battery of questions about Tatum’s status following the game. Whatever the diagnosis, the Boston Celtics now face a pivotal test: get Tatum healthy for Game 7, if possible.