The Boston Celtics are facing a must-win Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, but a growing chorus of fans is pleading with the team to keep superstar Jayson Tatum on the bench.
Tatum, a six-time All-Star, exited Game 6 during the third quarter after aggravating a leg injury. While he downplayed the issue afterward, describing it as just a little stiffness, fans aren't buying it. They want the Celtics to prioritize his health over a single playoff game.
“Jayson Tatum should not play in Game 7. This isn’t a championship team,” one fan posted. “If we somehow get past Philly, NY will decimate us. Do not risk anything.”
The concern is understandable. Tatum has been carrying a heavy load this series, averaging 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. But with the Celtics blowing a 3-1 lead and looking vulnerable against Joel Embiid, some wonder if pushing Tatum is worth it.
“If the Celtics let him play with a calf injury in game 7, it’s malpractice,” another fan wrote. Others echoed that sentiment, with one declaring, “If you’re the Celtics, you gotta sit Tatum in Game 7. It is what it is, don’t mess with that.”
Despite the outcry, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Boston expects Tatum to be available for the decisive game. The Celtics have not indicated any plans to rest him, and Tatum himself seemed unfazed after Thursday’s loss.
“Y’all probably saw when I went to the back,” Tatum told reporters. “So, I was on the bike. My leg was just a little stiff when I came out in the third quarter. But just kind of assessing the moment, like, the game was a little out of reach. We took the starters out.”
The stakes are enormous. The winner of this series will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and Boston’s path gets no easier from here. The Celtics have already struggled to contain Embiid, and without a fully healthy Tatum, their chances look slim.
This isn’t the first time Boston sports fans have voiced strong opinions about a team’s decision-making. Recently, Boston media took heat for going easy on the Mike Vrabel-Russini scandal, and the Red Sox axed Alex Cora after a win, sparking a massive coaching overhaul. Now, all eyes are on the Celtics’ front office to see if they’ll listen to the fans or gamble on Tatum’s health.
Game 7 tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Whether Tatum plays or not, the Celtics will need every ounce of energy they have to survive and advance.
