Inside The Celtics

Jayson Tatum Shares First Thought After Rolling Ankle Again vs. Clippers

Jayson Tatum registered a game-high 30 points and an injury scare in the Celtics' 145-108 win over the Clippers on Saturday.

Bobby Krivitsky

Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
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Saturday, the Boston Celtics made light work of the Los Angeles Clippers in a 145-108 win.

They're now 2-1 on their four-game West Coast trip, 8-6 on the road, and remain tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the best record in the NBA this season (22-6).

But while the visitors comfortably cruised to victory at Crypto.com Arena, they received a scare when Jayson Tatum elevated for a side-step three and landed on the foot of Kobe Brown.

While the four-time All-Star made the shot, he stayed down for a bit afterward, working to loosen his left ankle.

The three-time All-NBA selection was inactive for Boston's 144-119 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday due to spraining that same ankle when he stepped on Brandin Podziemski's foot in the first frame of Tuesday's 132-126 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Fortunately, Tatum stayed in Saturday's contest, finishing with a game-high 30 points. He shot 9/16 from the field and buried 5/10 attempts from beyond the arc.

And while he again landed on a defender's foot after taking a three in the third quarter, that didn't appear to agitate the injury.

After logging 30:20 in the victory, the most of anyone on either side, the former Duke Blue Devil conveyed his immediate reaction when he first rolled his left ankle again.

WARNING: The following link is to a video that contains the use of profanity.

"This is some (expletive)," shared Tatum. "But it was taped up well, and it was just a small tweak, so I was able to keep playing, and I felt fine after that."

Tatum and the Celtics will now turn their attention to a Christmas showdown against LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers. That matchup will tip off at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Further Reading

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Here's What Stood Out as the Celtics Steamrolled the Clippers

Jayson Tatum Joins PR Team for Derrick White’s All-Star Campaign

Kristaps Porzingis Praises Celtics' Offensive Approach in Win vs. Kings: 'Keep Evolving'

After Stinging Loss to Warriors, Boston, Back to 'Celtics' Basketball,' Blowout Kings

Shades of 2022 Finals as Celtics Can't Close vs. Warriors

Jaylen Brown Discusses Growing Leadership Role with Celtics: 'I've Embraced That'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Celtics Utilize Speed Advantage in Run Away Win vs. Magic: 'It Makes the Game Easier'

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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