Celtics Receive Good News on Jayson Tatum Before Game 7 vs 76ers

At one point in this series, the Boston Celtics held a 3–1 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, but now fans are awaiting a winner-take-all Game 7 at TD Garden on Saturday.

Philadelphia responded with back-to-back double-digit victories - both on the road and at home - to even the series at three games apiece. However, the Celtics faced an injury scare on Thursday night.

During the third quarter, it became noticeable that Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum was dealing with discomfort in his calf, which he later downplayed as simple stiffness.

"My leg was just a little stiff when I came out," Tatum said. "Just kind of assessing it in the moment - the game was a little out of reach."

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Tatum could be seen stretching, massaging his leg, and doing calf raises in an effort to loosen it up. The concern from fans and the media is understandable, as he is still less than a year removed from a ruptured Achilles tendon - an injury that can sometimes contribute to lingering calf tightness.

He briefly went to the locker room before returning early in the fourth quarter with an available designation, but he was not reinserted into the game. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla opted to sit his starters for the final 10 minutes after Boston fell behind by 22 points.

The bigger question afterward was whether Tatum would be ready for Game 7. According to ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday morning, all signs point to him being ready to go.

"It's positive right now," Charania said. "Everyone in Boston is downplaying anything with Jayson Tatum - that this was even an injury. Joe Mazzulla denied that it was an injury at all. Jayson Tatum said after the game it was just stiffness he felt in his leg. I'm told Jayson Tatum told teammates after the game he's fine, he's ready to go. So I think the expectation in Boston is Game 7 - Jayson Tatum, he's all good."

Having Tatum on the floor is crucial to what this Celtics team can accomplish, but ensuring he's fully healthy may be even more important - especially after returning from injury just over a month ago.

Tatum has started to find his rhythm on both ends of the floor, but any lower-body issue is bound to raise concern. That was the case in Game 6, even though the reports coming out of Boston have been positive.

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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 10:13 AM.