The Boston Celtics’ season ended in stunning fashion, and Jayson Tatum could only watch from the sidelines.
After battling back from a torn Achilles and helping power Boston to a top seed, Tatum was ruled out of Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers due to left knee stiffness, a late development that shifted the entire series.
“My recovery and comeback [from the Achilles injury] were going so well that how it ended, I didn’t think it was going to end that way. It was just unfortunate,” Tatum said. “I worked really, really, really, really hard to come back in the fashion that I did and play at the level I was playing at. So for it to end the way it did was a tough pill to swallow.”
The abrupt change in his status, from not listed on the injury report to ultimately being ruled out shortly before tipoff, left Boston without its centerpiece in the most important game of the season.
Tatum explained the decision came after consultation with the team’s medical staff and his trainer.
“It was just with the staff and medical team and Nick, they just kind of assessed everything that was going on,” Tatum said. “And I’m still in the window of the return to play protocol, and there were just certain rules and a plan that ultimately that we had to stick by.
“And it was tough, obviously, working as hard as I did to come back and to be available and for it to come to a Game 7, not be able to be out there. I just keep saying this was unfortunate and it’s tough to deal with, but it’s a plan that we have to stick to.”
Despite the ending, Tatum made it clear he doesn’t view the season as a failure. Boston exceeded expectations throughout the year, climbing to the second seed and putting itself in position to contend.
“Yeah, the team was super, super exciting and fun to watch this season,” he said. “You know there’s only one team that can win the championship, and it’s always tough to lose whenever it does happen, beginning of May or end of June, it’s always a tough pill to swallow.”
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