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Boston Celtics star Jason Tatum appeared to have hurt his right wrist in a 103-86 victory in Game 1 of the first round series against the Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon, but he wasn’t particularly worried after that.
“It’s fine,” Tatum told reporters. “I just fell on it and landed on it.”
Tatum’s wrists were “throbbing for a moment,” he said, but then “it’s kind of left.” He says he got an X-ray after the game and that it’s back to “clean.”
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Tatum used Al Horford’s screen from the ball to earn space and took a pass leading to the basket from Jrue Holiday. As Tatum rose, he was met in the air by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr. The magic duo hit him on the ground and landed awkwardly on his right wrist.
The first foul was called at Caldwell Pope. After a long review, it was upgraded to Fragrant.
“Illegal contact with the Pope and then followed by vulnerable players with potential injuries will be upgraded to a severe foul penalty 1,” crew Chief Zach Zalba said during the broadcast.
Tatum remained in the game, but he missed both of the subsequent free throws. He recorded his wrists and actually had some of the best scoring moments from the day after a frightening fall, but he appeared to support his wrists as the fourth quarter progressed. He finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, but only shot eight of the 22 from the field.
When Tatum checked out, he placed his right hand on his side and only used his teammate’s high five using his left hand. In the final seconds, the broadcast showed him holding his wrist and sitting on the bench, bent it.
Game 2 of the series will take place on Wednesday. Judging from his comments, Tatum will be available.
