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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics warms up before before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

In a stunning development, star forward Jayson Tatum has been ruled out for  Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics announced Saturday.

Tatum was initially listed as questionable.

Tatum, 28, exited to the locker room in the second half of the Celtics’ Game 6 loss to the Sixers on Thursday night. It appeared he suffered a lower leg injury

On the official injury report, the Celtics described Tatum’s injury as “left knee stiffness.”

The news is especially shocking given how strongly Tatum and the Celtics shot any injury concern after the Game 6 loss. 

Tatum said his leg “a little stiff,” suggesting there was no concern, and even said he expects to play in Saturday’s Game 7.

Tatum’s night in Game 6 ended early, but many suspected it was done out of caution to protect Tatum ahead of Game 7. Obviously, things have changed greatly. 

The Celtics now march into a home Game 7 without Tatum, adding to the pressure in what is already the biggest game of the season.

Jayson Tatum News Stuns the World

Having lost Game 6 in disappointing fashion, the Celtics have been hit with the worst possible outcome. Now it remains to be seen how they will respond without arguably their best player on the court.

After Tatum was ruled out, many are wondering what led the Celtics to make the bold decision.

Ahead of Game 7, head coach Joe Mazzulla gave the spill.

“He came in today with knee discomfort,” Mazzulla said in his pregame press conference. “We decided, the medical team and myself decided he wouldn’t play.”

Asked when Tatum’s injury occurred in the first place, Mazzulla said, “I’m not sure. I know at the time, at the end of the third quarter, I know he was in the back getting treatment. I talked to him yesterday. Today, he came in, he had stiffness in it and we made a decision for him.”

For Tatum, this injury marks the second straight postseason with adversity. Last year, the 28-year-old Boston star’s playoffs were interrupted with an unfortunate Achilles tear. Now he is battling a knee injury

Can Others Step Up?

Attention turns to the others, starting with Jaylen Brown, who has yet to find his rhythm in the first round.

Brown is coming off a spectacular regular season, finishing with his highest scoring season while entering the NBA MVP race as Tatum was out with an Achilles tear. 

Can Brown reannounce his MVP-caliber status in Saturday’s Game 7? The Celtics are sure hoping so.

Other key Celtics will see greater duties tonight, starting with the offensive-minded Payton Pritchard, who scored 32 points in Game 4, giving his team a commanding 3-1 lead.

No one expected the Celtics would be facing a Game 7 after they walked out of Philadelphia with a dominant Game 4 win.

Boston smashed the Sixers in the first four games, dealing multiple blowouts looking like they were simply the best team in the Eastern Conference.

After two straight wins, the Sixers are riding high entering tonight’s make-or-break game.

Philadelphia has already won multiple times in TD Garden in this series. 

The team won’t be fazed in trying to do it again.