PHOENIX — Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum has officially been ruled out against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday with an ankle injury he suffered after landing on Domantas Sabonis’ foot against the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Tatum has played in 66 of Boston’s 72 games this season and is putting up an MVP season, averaging 27.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game for the No. 2 seeded Celtics. Tatum has prided himself on refraining from missing road games, especially in cities Boston will only visit once in a season — like Phoenix.
It wasn’t for a lack of trying, though. Tatum entered the game doubtful but was upgraded to questionable after shootaround Wednesday morning. Celtics coach Joe Mazulla said pregame that the six-time All-Star would go through his pregame routine to determine whether or not he would play. Tatum was later listed out.
Boston is 5-1 without Tatum this season. Suns star Kevin Durant lauded the Celtic’s ability to “plug-and-play” players on their roster whenever they are dealing with injury. Boston is among the deepest teams in the league, which is why they’ve been able to afford losing their superstar at times this season.
Mar 9, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
What does this mean for the Suns?
Despite Boston’s success without Tatum this season, this is still a good sign for the Suns. Phoenix has own four straight and five of its last six games, including two massive wins over Boston’s Eastern Conference foes, Cleveland and Milwaukee.
A win against the Celtics tonight not only extends Phoenix’s longest winnings streak since its 8-1 start, but moves it up to the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, passing Sacramento and leading them by ½ games until the Kings play Portland on Thursday.
Phoenix is nearly fully-healthy, missing only Bradley Beal who has been out for more than a week with a left hamstring strain. Despite Beal’s absence, Phoenix has put together its best stretch of the season behind its new defensive identity built around Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Collin Gillespie and Cody Martin.
A win against the Tatum-less Celtics would make the sky limitless for the Suns to close out this season.
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenoNBA, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
