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The Boston Celtics have looked like the best team in the league so far this season. They are currently 15-4. They are led by MVP candidate Jayson Tatum whose 30.5 ppg is fifth in the league scoring average.
Tatum has been the key for a team that had question marks coming into the season. They would be without their head coach, Ime Oduka, who led them to the NBA Finals last season.
It is being reported by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that Jayson Tatum is set to miss tomorrow’s game against the Washington Wizards with a sprained ankle. Tatum has been officially listed as out on the team’s injury report. He has played all the team’s previous 19 games this season.
The injury is believed to have occurred on Monday when the team played against the Chicago Bulls. Jayson Tatum landed on the Bulls’ Demar DeRozan’s left foot. Tatum was able to play through the ankle sprain in wins against the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings this week. There is no word yet on how long he may be out.
The Celtics are already missing center Robert Williams and forward Danilo Gallinari, who are both out with knee injuries. The team will need Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brodgon to help fill in the scoring gap left by Jayson Tatum’s absence. Players like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser may be able to absorb some of his minutes in the line-up.
The Celtics' upcoming games should allow Tatum to rest and not feel forced to make a comeback if the injury is really bad. More than likely, he will miss the Charlotte Hornets game, considering it’s the night after the Washington game. After that, the team is scheduled to play the Miami Heat on both Wednesday and Friday.
This will be Coach Mazzulla's first test
Up until now, interim coach Joe Mazzulla has had a smooth run as head coach. The team is 15-4 and in first place in the Eastern Conference standings. They have had injuries to start the season but only to role players. This will be their first time without a star player. Jayson Tatum is the best player on the team and is trying to assert himself as possibly the best player in the league.
The length of Tatum's absence is unclear, and the seriousness of the sprain is not yet known. It may be minor, and he may be back in few games. The NBA season is long, and the coach will have to deal with these kinds of issues over the year with Tatum and other players. If he manages it well and keeps the team on pace this might become his job permanently.
Guess the Lakers players!
