Tag: NBA Injuries

Celtics star Jayson Tatum reacts to injury after missing Game 7

Jayson Tatum

By: @oossports

The Boston Celtics saw their season end in devastating fashion, and Jayson Tatum could only watch from the sidelines.

Tatum missed Game 7 of Boston’s Eastern Conference quarterfinal loss to the Philadelphia 76ers due to left knee stiffness, a late development that forced him out of the most important game of the season.

Tatum reflects on “unfortunate” ending

Speaking Sunday, Tatum opened up about the injury and the abrupt end to his season. His comments were captured in a report by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.

“My recovery and comeback [from the Achilles injury] were going so well that how it ended, I didn’t think it was going to end that way. It was just unfortunate,” Tatum said. “I worked really, really, really, really hard to come back in the fashion that I did and play at the level I was playing at. So for it to end the way it did was a tough pill to swallow.”

Tatum had worked his way back from a torn Achilles suffered less than a year ago, making his absence even more difficult to process.

Celtics lose grip on the series.

Boston entered the series in control, holding a 3-1 lead before losing three straight games.

The Game 7 defeat marked one of the most stunning collapses in franchise history, as the Celtics became just the 14th team in NBA history to lose a best-of-seven series after leading 3-1.

Tatum’s late scratch added to the challenge, leaving Boston without its top option in a decisive moment.

The decision to sit made with medical staff

Tatum explained that the decision to sit out Game 7 followed discussions with the team’s medical staff and his trainer, Nick Sang.

“It was just with the staff and medical team and Nick, they just kind of assessed everything that was going on,” Tatum said. “And I’m still in the window of the return to play protocol, and there were just certain rules and a plan that ultimately that we had to stick by.

“And it was tough, obviously, working as hard as I did to come back and to be available and for it to come to a Game 7, not be able to be out there. I just keep saying this was unfortunate and it’s tough to deal with, but it’s a plan that we have to stick to.”

Strong return despite limitations

Despite the ending, Tatum emphasized the progress he made throughout the season.

He noted that he played at roughly 80–85% capacity after returning from injury, yet still delivered strong production during both the regular season and playoffs.

Looking ahead after difficult finish

Tatum made it clear that the season should not be defined solely by its ending.

“Yeah, the team was super, super exciting and fun to watch this season,” he said. “You know there’s only one team that can win the championship, and it’s always tough to lose whenever it does happen, beginning of May or end of June, it’s always a tough pill to swallow.

“I don’t think how it ended should take away from the growth of each guy in that locker room and the steps that they all made this season and from what the expectations were of this team to being a 2-seed and everybody having an important role and showing their value, and just doing it together. This team was a joy to watch, and it was a joy to be a part of when I was able to join them.”

He also reflected on his comeback from a broader perspective, emphasizing both personal growth and the potential to inspire others recovering from similar injuries.

“I’m very happy that I came back to be a part of his team, to get back to doing what I love, to help us, give us a chance to compete for a championship, to prove to myself that I can get back to being the guy who I was, and hopefully better,” he said. “And just to kind of defy what this injury kind of means, not necessarily from the standpoint of, like, ‘I’m great, look at what I was able to accomplish,’ but to give other guys hope that … obviously, I don’t want anybody to have to go through tearing their Achilles.

“But in the unfortunate event that it does happen, that I can be sort of inspiration, of like, if you attack rehab a certain way, if you follow these guidelines, or do it a certain way, that it’s not like a career-ending injury, that you can’t come back, that you can be yourself, that you can be better, that it won’t take 18 months, that you can come back whenever it is right for you.

“So I’m happy and proud of the fact that I was able to do that. And, unfortunately, if somebody else has to deal with this, they can look at what I was able to do and have some hope and inspiration that it’s not what people used to think it was. And you can come back from this and be who you were and hopefully be better.”

For Boston, the offseason now begins earlier than expected. For Tatum, the focus shifts to recovery, a full offseason, and returning even stronger next year.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to check out the latest episode of the OutOfSightSports YouTube series below for more coverage, analysis, and the latest updates across the sports world. ⬇️

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Grizzlies rule Ja Morant out for season with left elbow injury

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3/25/2026

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Ja Morant ruled out for season.

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without their star guard for the remainder of the season.

The team announced that Ja Morant has been ruled out due to an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow, ending his 2026 campaign.

Morant appeared in just 20 games this season, continuing a stretch of limited availability over the past few years.

Injury timeline and treatment

Morant suffered the injury on Jan. 21 during his second game back from a prior absence caused by calf soreness.

Following ongoing discomfort, he recently underwent further evaluation. Medical specialists recommended a platelet-rich plasma injection to aid ligament healing.

The expectation is that Morant will be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season.

Continued availability concerns

The latest setback adds to a growing list of interruptions in Morant’s career.

Over the past three seasons, he has played only 79 total games due to a combination of injuries and suspensions. The extended absences have limited his impact on the court despite his All-Star level talent.

Grizzlies outlook moving forward

Memphis explored trade possibilities involving Morant ahead of the February deadline but reportedly found little interest.

Morant still has two years remaining on his contract, valued at $87 million, as the organization evaluates its long-term direction.

With their franchise guard sidelined, the Grizzlies will now turn their focus toward the offseason and roster decisions moving into next year.

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76ers star Tyrese Maxey out at least 3 weeks with finger tendon injury

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3/11/2026

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The Philadelphia 76ers will be without one of their most important players for the immediate future.

The team announced Tuesday that star guard Tyrese Maxey suffered a tendon injury in his right pinkie and will undergo reevaluation in approximately three weeks.

Maxey suffered the injury late in Philadelphia’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. With just 16 seconds remaining, Maxey collided with teammate Adem Bona during a play and immediately grabbed his right hand. He quickly walked off the court and headed directly to the locker room while holding his hand under his jersey.

Initial tests revealed no fractures, but further evaluation revealed the tendon issue.

Head coach Nick Nurse addressed the situation following Philadelphia’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies, as first reported in an article published on ESPN.com.

“Obviously, it’s a huge blow for him,” Nurse said after the game. “He’s having an all-NBA season. Just hoping it heals really, really quick, and he gets back to where it doesn’t bother him at all. He’s obviously played tremendous. Obviously puts us in a bind with some of the other guys out, too. Just hopefully these two or three weeks will whiz by and he’ll be ready to go.”

Maxey has been enjoying the best season of his career. Across 61 games, he is averaging career highs with 29 points, 6.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds, two steals and 0.8 blocks per game.

His scoring production currently ranks fourth in the NBA. The 76ers guard holds the highest scoring average by a 76ers guard since Allen Iverson during the 2005-06 season.

Maxey’s impact has also extended to the defensive side. He is the only player in the NBA this season with at least 100 steals and 50 blocks.

Philadelphia has been noticeably stronger with Maxey in the lineup. The 76ers are 33-28 with him available compared to 2-2 in games he has missed.

The timing of the injury is difficult for a team already dealing with absences from other key players. Joel Embiid has missed five straight games with a right oblique strain, while Paul George is currently serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program.

Over the last two seasons, Philadelphia has played just 31 games with Embiid, George and Maxey all available.

Maxey also leads the NBA in minutes per game and total miles traveled this season, reflecting the heavy workload he has carried for the team.

The 76ers currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. With the regular season concluding April 12, Maxey’s return timeline could also impact his eligibility for All-NBA honors if he misses additional games.

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Domantas Sabonis Out for Season After Knee Surgery

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2/19/26

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The Sacramento Kings will close the season without their All-Star big man.

Domantas Sabonis underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. Sabonis had been rehabbing the injury during the season and attempted to play through it before ultimately opting for the procedure. (source)

The setback compounds what has already been a difficult year in Sacramento.

Another Blow for Sacramento

The Kings recently lost guard Zach LaVine to season-ending surgery as well, leaving the team without its two primary offensive pillars. Sabonis averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in just 19 games this season. Those numbers represent a dip from prior campaigns, as he battled persistent knee discomfort and saw his minutes reduced below 30 per night.

Sacramento enters the second half of the season at 12-44, the worst record in the NBA. The absence of Sabonis further limits the team’s interior presence, rebounding stability and playmaking from the frontcourt.

Draft Implications Loom

If there is a long-term silver lining, it may lie in draft positioning. Holding the league’s worst record would give Sacramento the best odds at securing the No. 1 overall pick in what many view as a loaded 2026 draft class.

Potential headliners include elite freshmen such as Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Kingston Fleming, Caleb Wilson and Keaton Wagler, among others.

For now, Sacramento must shift its focus toward development and evaluation. Sabonis’ health takes priority, and the organization will look toward the offseason with hopes of a reset.

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Jayson Tatum Participates in 5-on-5 Work as Celtics Star Continues Achilles Recovery

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2/8/2026

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The Boston Celtics are monitoring steady progress from Jayson Tatum as the NBA All-Star break approaches, with the franchise star reportedly taking another step forward in his rehabilitation.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Tatum has begun participating in controlled 5-on-5 scrimmages with coaches. The work marks a significant checkpoint less than a year after the forward ruptured his Achilles tendon during a playoff series against the New York Knicks last May.

Despite the progress, there remains no timetable for Tatum’s return. ESPN reported that several benchmarks still stand between the All-NBA forward and full clearance. Earlier this offseason, Chris Haynes reported that Tatum has considered sitting out the entire 2025–26 season to ensure a complete recovery.

Charania noted that Tatum’s priority is returning at full strength rather than rushing back. The approach aligns with Boston’s long-term outlook after the forward averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists last season before suffering the injury.

Boston’s strong play without Tatum has also factored into the cautious timeline. The Celtics sit second in the Eastern Conference at 34–18 and enter the break riding a five-game winning streak.

Jaylen Brown has carried much of the offensive load, posting career-best averages of 29.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. His performance recently earned him a fifth All-Star selection.

Boston has also received increased production from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, with both guards averaging more than 17 points per game. At the trade deadline, the Celtics added frontcourt depth by acquiring Nikola Vučević from the Chicago Bulls.

With the roster performing at a high level and Tatum focused on long-term health, Boston continues to prioritize patience as its franchise cornerstone advances through the most demanding stage of his recovery.

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