SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) 鈥� Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is optimistic that star Jayson Tatum won鈥檛 be out long after leaving Monday鈥檚 game late in the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings after taking a hard foul and injuring his right ankle.
Tatum was leading the Celtics in scoring when he got hurt. The six-time All-Star made a contested 3-pointer and was fouled by Kings 6-foot-11 center Domantas Sabonis, who was called for a Flagrant 1 foul. Tatum鈥檚 right foot landed on Sabonis鈥� foot and the veteran forward immediately dropped to the floor.
鈥淗e seems to be doing OK,鈥� Mazzulla said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 see the play but they made the right call. Fortunate that he was able to shoot the free throws. (He鈥檚) taking care of it right now.
Tatum remained down for several moments while being examined by Celtics鈥� staff. He was helped to the bench then returned to make one of two free throws to give the Celtics a 79-68 lead with 3:35 left in the third. He then left for the locker room.
After the game Tatum, who finished with 25 points, limped gingerly through the Celtics locker room but was not made available to reporters.
鈥淚 literally just asked him how he was doing and he said, 鈥極K,鈥欌�� Mazzulla said. 鈥淗e鈥檒l do anything and everything to make sure he gets better.鈥�
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