Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum won't play in Saturday's Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers due to left knee stiffness.
The Celtics initially listed Tatum as questionable after he experienced discomfort in Thursday's Game 6 loss. The 28-year-old left for the locker room with four minutes remaining in the third quarter and didn't play again in the second half. Although Tatum returned to the bench in the fourth, Boston entered the frame down by 19 points, and head coach Joe Mazzulla opted not to call on the star again.
Tatum averaged 21.8 points, 10 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in 16 regular-season appearances after returning from a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in last year's postseason. The six-time All-Star scored 23.3 points per game in Boston's series against Philadelphia - second on the team behind longtime teammate Jaylen Brown - while leading the club with 10.7 boards and 6.8 assists through six games.
The winner of Saturday's matchup moves on to face the New York Knicks in the second round. The Celtics led the series 3-1 before dropping back-to-back contests.
