BOSTON CELTICS
The Boston Celtics will be without superstar forward Jayson Tatum for Game 2 against the Orlando Magic.
Tatum suffered a right distal radius bone bruise in Boston’s 103-86 victory over the Magic on Sunday. The injury happened with 8:28 left in the fourth quarter as the Celtics led 89-73. Tatum was fouled by Orlando’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as he drove toward the rim and tried to dunk. Tatum fell down and used his right hand to brace his fall. Caldwell-Pope was accessed a flagrant 1 foul on the play.
Tatum missed both free throws, but he remained in the game and went on to score seven more points. He took a seat on the bench for the final 74 seconds and finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in the victory.
Although Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said Tatum was “doing good” following Game 1, Tatum’s status for Game 2 has been in the air. Will he start? Will he be sidelined? Here’s what we know:
NBA injury report: Jayson Tatum out for Game 2
Tatum will be sidelined for Game 2 against the Magic on Wednesday. He was originally listed as doubtful on Tuesday, but the team downgraded Tatum to out on Wednesday afternoon, just 30 minutes ahead of tipoff.
All things Celtics: Latest Boston Celtics news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
Who will replace Jayson Tatum in starting lineup?
Veteran Al Horford was tapped to replace Tatum in the starting lineup on Wednesday. Horford, who started 42 of the Celtics’ 82 games during the regular season, had five points in 25 minutes of play in Game 1.
NBA starting lineups
The Celtics starting five is rounded out by Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
The Magic is going with the same starting lineup as Game 1 — Cory Joseph, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.
Contributing: Jeff Zillgitt
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